Paul Simpson has explained the process by which Carlisle United are seeking a new physio.

It was confirmed this week that Ross Goodwin was set to leave the Blues for a new position in Scotland.

Simpson says the departing Goodwin will help United recruit his replacement.

The Carlisle manager said the club have received applications from candidates at other clubs ahead of Monday’s application deadline.

He said: “Ross has got a three-month notice period, but it depends how soon we can get a replacement.

“Now the decision has been made, without him wishing to run off as quickly as he possibly can, he’d like to get started in his new role as soon as he can.

“But we have to find the right replacement for him. The strong candidates we’ve had so far are employed in jobs at the moment, so they will have a notice period, but I don’t know what that period is at this moment.

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“We’ll get it done as soon as is feasibly possible.”

Goodwin has been at United for two-and-a-half years, but Simpson said the former Kilmarnock man had received an offer which Carlisle could not compete with.

United’s boss said he was sad to lose a “really good bloke” who had proved excellent and dedicated in his role.

“Unfortunately for me and us as a club, when you have good people, and are where we are, the chances are we’re going to lose them,” said Simpson.

“If somebody comes along and makes a better offer to him, I totally respect the fact he has to better himself from a financial point of view.

“We couldn’t match the offer he’s had, and we just have to shake his hand and wish him all the best.

“One thing he has said is he will help us with interviews to appoint a new physio. We’ve had a couple of really strong applicants for it so far which I hope we’ll be able to interview for it next week and make a decision as soon as possible to replace him.”

Some fans have speculated whether legendary former physio Neil Dalton, who worked under Simpson during his previous managerial spell at United, could be tempted back.

Asked if that was a possibility, Simpson said: “I don’t need to ring Dolly – he comes in for a coffee most weeks, so I still see him.

“We have to do it the right way. It’s the way employment law is. It has to be advertised, which it has been. The closing date is Monday, and we’ll be interviewing soon after.

“If anybody wants the job, and that includes Dolly, they have to go through the right and proper channels by applying for the role.

“They’ll all be considered and we’ll break it down to a shortlist. Looking at what we’ve had, it is a short list at the moment of fully qualified people. So we’ll see come Monday and then assess it from there.”

The advertisement circulated by the Blues say they are seeking “the highest standard” of physiotherapy services which includes assessment and diagnosis of injuries, injury prevention strategies and programmes, liaising with other medical and coaching staff, co-ordinating treatment and rehabilitation services, managing doping control services.

They have set out as essential qualifications a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, while the successful candidate must be a member of The Health and Care Professions Council, be qualified through the FA’s Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football course, have DBS clearance, be experienced in “working within an elite sporting environment”, and have “excellent communication, organisational and management skills”.

Desirable attributes are listed as “an understanding of sports science and medicine”, “up to date understanding of evidence based medicine” and “working towards or have MSc in a relevant subject.”