Carver: 'Rolando's Raring To Go'

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

John Carver insists he would have no hesitation in using fit-again teenage winger Rolando Aarons at Loftus Road this weekend.

Newcastle travel to the capital on Saturday to face Queens Park Rangers, knowing a victory could secure their Premier League status for another season.

Aarons has not featured for the first team since the start of November following a succession of hamstring complaints, but the Academy product was a huge bright spot in the early part of the campaign and Carver believes he is ready to shine again.

"We kept Rolando out of the under-21 game (on Monday) because we felt he would get more benefit from the training this week," explained the head coach.

"He has done a lot of hard work and is a lot fitter and stronger than he was a week ago.

"He has been bright and has given me a bit of a headache, because the bench is getting stronger and we can only put seven players on there.

"We have got quite a few players who will be fighting to get on that pitch and if the opportunity arises where I need to put Rolando on, I won't have any hesitation."

Carver also revealed that forwards Siem de Jong and Adam Armstrong are not available for the fixture against the R's.

Armstrong is recovering from a calf strain, while Dutch international de Jong could feature in the final game of the season against West Ham.

"Siem is not actually out injured," revealed Carver.

"He trained yesterday (Wednesday) and today (Thursday) but just needs to strengthen up his quad muscle.

"It was touch-and-go as to whether he was available for this weekend, but if he gets through the next couple of days he could be available for the West Ham game.

"I'm going to take a squad of 21 players down to London.

"Papiss Cisse got through 21 minutes (last weekend against West Brom) and has had a full week's training, so he's in a good place, and Gabriel Obertan will join the squad again."