BARROW boss Paul Cox says he is unable to clarify why assistant manager Paul Simpson has not been seen in the dugout in recent weeks.
Simpson joined the Bluebirds as Cox’s assistant last year but has not seen by the manager’s side since the 1-0 win at Macclesfield Town on February 15.
Since then, he has missed games against Rochdale in the Lancashire Senior Cup, Torquay United, Guiseley, Sutton United and two fixtures against Tranmere Rovers.
Cox has been leading the pre-game warm-ups in Simpson’s absence as Barrow look to force their way back into the National League play-offs.
They picked up a big win on Tuesday night as second-half goals from Inih Effiong and Jordan Williams helped beat Tranmere 2-1 at Holker Street.
But when asked about Simpson, Cox told BBC Radio Cumbria : “It’s something I cannot comment on at the minute. It’s an internal matter.
“I’m hoping either myself or the club can keep everybody up to date with that issue when and if it is resolved.
“We want to be 100 per cent certain that the information we give everybody is correct.”
On the victory over Tranmere, Cox told the North-West Evening Mail: “I’m so proud of the whole place tonight – the players and the supporters.
“What a tremendous attitude the boys have shown tonight – especially the boys who haven’t had a lot of game-time.
“The fans have done what they’ve done for us all season today, and really got behind us. They could really tell the boys were putting in a shift.
“It has been a really good night. We’ve played some really good stuff. In the end, we should have won it by more – how we missed some of the chances late on, I’ll never know.”
