John Carver extends his contract at Plymouth Argyle

Carver was assistant coach to Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle

Plymouth Argyle assistant coach John Carver has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at Home Park until June 2012.

Earlier this week, Carver turned down an approach from Brian Laws to join Burnley as first-team coach.

"I've made my mind up," Carver told BBC Devon. "I'm pleased to sign and commit my future to the club."

The 44-year-old initially joined the Pilgrims in December last year as assistant to head coach Paul Mariner.

Coming to work with Mariner was Carver's first post since he left Major League side Toronto FC in April last year.

The former Newcastle assistant coach admitted that the prospect of returning to the Premier League was tempting, but said loyalty and belief in the Argyle board were overriding factors in his decision to stay in Devon.

He said: "It would have been nice, but I've seen what the club [Plymouth] are trying to do.

"They've got a five-year plan and they're certainly not going to pay lip-service to it.

"I can tell when I look in people's faces whether they're being sincere about things, and let me tell the fans out there that these people mean business, and it's encouraging."