Carver wipes slate clean for Newcatle’s Williamson

Carver claimed Williamson had got sent off “on purpose” immediately after the club’s 3-0 defeat to Leicester City earlier this month.

The defender – who got a two-match ban for his dismissal, his second of the campaign – denied Carver’s allegation in a statement.

Williamson is available for Sunday’s final game of the season against West Ham United at St James’s Park. Newcastle, two points ahead of third-from-bottom Hull City, need to win the game to be certain of Premier League surival.

Head coach Carver has likened the verbal spat to the physical altercation he had with then-United striker Craig Bellamy at Newcastle Airport 11 years ago on the eve of a UEFA Cup tie. Bellamy claimed in his book that the pair ending up “wrestling on the floor” after a row over a parking space spiralled out of control.

“I’ve shaken hands with Mike – that’s forgotten,” said Carver.

“I’m like that. I can fall out with someone one day, and then be their best friend the next. Look at Craig a few years ago. That’s just the way I am. I don’t hold a grudge and that’s important. I’ll say what I have to say – as I did with Mike – but then I’ll clear the slate.””