John Carver says he can not defend Papiss Cisse after admitting the Newcastle striker spitting in the face of Jonny Evans was worse than breaking the leg of an opponent . Newcastle will be without their 11-goal top scorer for the first time at Everton on Sunday since he was hit with a seven-game ban following the altercation with Evans . The Manchester United defender was suspended for six matches for his part in the incident , in which he first spat at Cisse to provoke the reaction from the Magpies striker . Newcastle 's Papiss Cisse and Manchester United 's Jonny Evans squared up to each other at St James ' Park . Cisse has been banned for seven games , while Evans has received a six game suspension for the altercation . There has been a lot of debate in the 10 days since the disgusting clash as to whether or not spitting merited a ban double the length of one for a tackle which could cause serious injury . Carver , though , was clear on his thoughts when that question was put to him . ‘ When you have played the game it ( spitting ) is worse , yes , ’ he said . ‘ It 's one of the lowest forms of anything you can do on the pitch . A lot of players would have acted differently . He retaliated in the same manner , which is just as bad . ‘ I sat with him and I said , “ Listen , I ca n't defend you on this . You 've done wrong and have to accept whatever punishment you get ” . There 's no place in the game for it . He got what he deserved. ’ Evans ' actions have been described as 'simply disgusting ' by the FA 's regulatory committee . Both Evans and Cisse were charged and banned by the FA for spitting , but Cisse admitted the offence . Cisse ’ s future on Tyneside is now uncertain . Despite boasting the best goals-per-minute ratio in the Premier League this season , Newcastle remain concerned about a lingering knee issue for which he underwent more treatment this week . When asked if the 29-year-old would be at the club next year , Carver said : ‘ It 's a difficult question to answer because I 'm only thinking about the now , and I have n't got him for seven games . ‘ But he scores goals and I do n't think his knee is a big issue . We have always used this word “ maintenance ” about his knee and it is just making sure that everything is right . But he ’ s a big loss. ’ Meanwhile , Carver admits he has sympathy with under-fire Everton boss Roberto Martinez . Newcastle finished fifth in 2012 but were nearly relegated the following season and cited the rigours of a Europa League campaign as reason for their struggle . ‘ Ask any of these managers who qualified for Europe how it affects your league form - you all start fighting for your lives down the bottom of that league table - it 's not easy , ’ he said . ‘ They 've got to do something about it . I would go back to a straight knockout format . ‘ When you work so hard to get your team into a position to qualify for it and then you 've got to play so many games it 's detrimental to your bread and butter , which is Premier League football . ‘ Spurs have a massive squad and were almost playing two different sides . That 's how they coped with it – but Everton ca n't and we couldn ’ t either. ’ Paul Carver admits he has sympathy with under-fire Everton manager Roberto Martinez ahead of he game .
Newcastle will be without Jonny Evans for seven games following a ban . The striker admitted spitting in the face of defender Papiss Cisse . Evans received a six match ban for his part in the obscene altercation . Cisse boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio in the league this season .