Newcastle United without nine members of first team ahead of Arsenal visit

John Carver's Newcastle United squad is down to its 'bare bones' with nine members of his first team squad unavailable for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday (21 March 2015).

The Magpies learned this week that their captain Fabricio Coloccini will be suspended for three matches after his an appeal against a red card shown in last week's clash with Everton had been turned down.

The club are also without top scorer Papiss Cisse for another six games following his suspension for involvement in the spitting incident between Manchester United's Jonny Evans.

Although Jack Colback returned to the side last week after a month out and with Remy Cabella fit again, Newcastle remain hamstrung by injuries.

Mehdi Abeid, Rolando Arrons (both thighs), Massadio Haidara, Paul Dummet, Cheick Tiote (knee), Steven Taylor (calf) and Siem de Jong (collapsed lung) all remain side-lined, leaving Carver with little choice but to make changes where he can for the visit of the Gunners.

"It's down to me to work with the players we've got. Nobody else can help, other than my staff who are great.We will work on it and have to look at different options now. We are down to the bare bones. I will work with what I've got because that's my job, and that's what I get paid for," Carver was quoted as saying by the Chronicle.

"There's not much skin left on the bone to be honest. But just when you think you are getting somewhere with Jack Coback and Remy Cabella coming back, you lose your captain for three games."

Newcastle's meagre options at centre half could see Netherlands right back Daryl Janmaat moved inside to centre half. Carver will be hoping the club's injury crisis eases over the international break, with the Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland awaiting them on 5 April.

The Black Cats have won their last four consecutive derbies against their arch rivals and could be led by Dick Advocaat for the first time when Newcastle visit the Stadium of Light.