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John Carver says that Davide Santon’s impatience at Newcastle United cost him his place at the club.

The Italian has now made the move to Inter Milan on a permanent basis but could have ended the season in United’s first XI.

Carver has accused Santon of driving a move away from the club and says that Santon instructed his agent to get him a January move.

Carver, who has no fit left-backs at the moment and was forced to play midfielder Jack Colback in the position against Sunderland, said: “Let me tell you something about Davide Santon. Davide Santon has been out for a long time - seven months, I think it was – injured.

“He came back against Leicester in the FA Cup and he wasn’t prepared to wait to earn his right top get back into the team. He thought he could go straight back into the team.

“He drove the situation, not us, not the club, he drove it.

“After the game on the bus, he was on to his agent saying he wanted to get out, he wanted to go and play.”

Carver indicated that United were better off without a player that didn’t want to fight for his place.

He added: “Listen, I am not saying anybody has got a divine right, and I’m not saying he wouldn’t have been in the team within two or three weeks, but if you have got a player who doesn’t want to hang around and fight for you, then that’s an issue, for me.”