ASSISTANT manager Gary Simpson's Barrow AFC future remains unclear – with the club rubbishing several rumours about his status.

Bluebirds chief executive Austin Straker confirmed there was an issue involving Simpson that is ongoing, but was unable to clear up exactly what that issue was.

Simpson has been absent from the Barrow dug-out for the past three weeks, last having been seen alongside manager Paul Cox during the 1-0 win over Macclesfield on February 15.

He was not involved in the games against Rochdale – in the Lancashire Senior Cup – Torquay, Sutton or the pair of fixtures with Tranmere, with Cox leading the pre-match warm-ups in his places.

Cox said he was unable to comment on the issue regarding a man he brought in to assist him at AFC in February last year as part of a management team overhaul.

Former Lincoln City manager Simpson is still employed by the club, but it is unknown whether there is any chance he will return to his assistant manager’s role, or if his absence is due to a disciplinary issue or something else.

Cox was unable to comment on the matter following Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Tranmere, but Straker has since confirmed Simpson is still an employee and that he hopes to provide further details within the next week.

“It is a personal matter, and for that reason alone the club is not prepared to put anything out in the public domain,” said Straker.

“We hope to have something to say, with Gary's permission, within the next week or so, but we are not in a position to make any comment on his circumstances at the minute. He is an employee of Barrow AFC.

“It is a personal matter, which will run its course, and we will report further in due course.”

Straker was quick to shoot down accusations levelled at Simpson on social media and the club forum speculating on the cause of his absence.

He added: “I have been shown some rumours which have been published on social media and on the club forum over the past week. What I would say about them, is they are absolute nonsense. I don't know whether they were supposition or hearsay.

“There was some suggestion that he had assaulted somebody, an opposition player. That is absolutely ridiculous. I can categorically deny that is the case.”

All Cox would say after Tuesday’s 2-1 National League win over Tranmere was that is was an internal matter.

“It’s something that I can’t comment on at this minute,” said Cox. “It’s an internal matter, but hopefully myself or the club can keep everybody up to date with that issue when and if it is resolved.”

Asked if Simpson could return, he added: “I can't comment. We want to be 100 per cent certain that the information we give everyone is correct. At this present time, it’s something myself and the club can’t comment on.”