Carlisle United are understood to be close to appointing a new sporting director.

It is believed the Blues are expecting to finalise the new arrival in the coming days.

A fresh round of interviews recently took place and the News & Star understands Carlisle have chosen the man who will step into the position.

Things look on course to being resolved after a process which had to be relaunched by the Blues after their original choice, MK Dons' Liam Sweeting, turned the club down at the last moment in September.

A second phase of interviews took place during the latest visit to Carlisle by the club's owners, the Piatak family, over the last week.

It is not anticipated that there will be any further hurdles and United could have the new man in place this week.

It is set to be a crucial appointment in the Piataks' attempt to reshape the Blues' on and off-field operations.

The sporting director will be expected to have the necessary contacts and experience to oversee United's overall footballing direction.

The new figure is also set to have a major role in the club's recruitment operation.

The imminent appointment comes at a time of significant on-field struggle with United, under head coach Mike Williamson, sitting 23rd in League Two and four points adrift of safety.

After taking two points from their last seven games, an increasing number of fans have called for Williamson to go after less than two months in charge.

But supporters' trust director Matt Spooner, on Tuesday morning, used a BBC Radio Cumbria interview to say that the club's owners and directors still believe that Williamson and his coaches were the "correct people" to take the team forward. United’s owner Tom Piatak has also expressed "belief" in Williamson to help the Blues fulfil their long-term vision.

Carlisle had hoped to secure Sweeting from MK Dons at the same time as Williamson in mid-September.

But the MK sporting director, having reportedly accepted the job, then reversed his decision late in the day.

United have never publicly commented on Sweeting by name, but chief executive Nigel Clibbens said earlier this month that the last-minute change of heart by their chosen candidate had "thrown a spanner in the works" of the process.

Carlisle pushed on with the appointment of Williamson at the time, as other potential sporting director candidates then came forward as the process was relaunched.