John Carver and Steve McClaren are reportedly the two candidates for the head coach role at Newcastle United.

Carver is currently in charge of the Magpies, having been handed the role until the end of the season in January following Alan Pardew's departure for Crystal Palace.

However, the 50-year-old has won just two of his 15 matches in charge, losing 10 of them, and the Newcastle hierarchy will give him until the end of the campaign to see if his record improves.

Former England boss McClaren has been heavily linked with the post at St James' Park, having turned Derby County from Championship strugglers into promotion contenders since becoming their head coach in September 2013.

Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley is said to be keen to kick on with the club's summer rebuild and avoid the additional complication of a lengthy search for a new boss.

Carver and McClaren are the only realistic contenders for the role, according to The Chronicle.

Newcastle currently sit 14th in the Premier League.