Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says assistant John Carver will be in the dugout for the clash with Chelsea.

Carver, who worked with Gary Speed during his time as number two to Sir Bobby Robson, and players Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor, all knew him well, and Pardew knows he and the rest of his staff will have a job to do before kick-off with Carver having been hit particularly hard.

He said: "He's going to take part...he's not okay, he's very, very upset.

"He was very close to Gary and he's going to find it probably more difficult than anyone on Saturday.

"I will put my arm around him and get him right for the game because he's very important to us.

"I don't think the players will have a problem to respond once the ball is kicked and competitive action starts, but there will certainly be one or two players in that line-up who will be very, very upset, for sure.

"I will make sure my coaching team will go round and get them right for the game."