Chris Beech has declared war on poor hygiene at Carlisle United after raising concerns at the number of illness absentees from his squad in recent weeks.

The head coach said there needs to be “meetings” about “cleanliness” at the club.

Beech saw Joshua Kayode miss Saturday’s 2-1 win against Walsall through illness with goalkeeping coach Craig Wight also absent.

Other players have gone down with illness before previous games and Beech believes better steps need to be taken to stop infections spreading.

He said: “We’re getting too many anomalies on matchday happening at the club. We have to be cleaner in what we’re doing.

“We have to get some hand gels, swap the towels, new detergents or something. There’s far too many illnesses happening.”

Beech said the recurring problem is disrupting his plans, even though things worked out on Saturday when Kayode – who had been pencilled in to start – was replaced by Ryan Loft, who forced Carlisle’s winning goal.

The United boss added: “Even before Cardiff [the FA Cup replay], at 11am I’m getting calls from the physio saying we might have a mumps outbreak.

“It wasn’t the case in the end when they checked out with the doctor – that was Jon Mellish, he played then, had a swollen face one side then a black eye the other side – but it’s happening too much.

“It’s not good when we plan, but it’s very good that when you’ve got your plan and if it has to deviate, it’s important it’s supported and it was [on Saturday].”

On Rotherham loanee Kayode, Beech added: “It’s a shame, he was due to make his debut in front of you guys, and he couldn’t.

“He came to see the doctor, we’ve had to send him back and he’s in bed now. Hopefully he’ll be right for Tuesday, we’ll see.”

Beech praised Loft after the Leicester loanee helped United to three much-needed points.

He said: “I had a good word with Lofty on Friday. He wasn’t responding well to the fact that he might not start.

“It’s amazing what happens in football. I had a good half-hour with him after training. Normally he is last off the training ground, he was first off this time. He wasn’t happy.

“I don’t want players happy if they’re not playing, but I do want a physical, and mental response. Your opportunity can come from anywhere.

“He came in the room low, went out of it great and he ends up playing.”

Beech, meanwhile, insisted that injury was the reason Harry McKirdy was out of the squad.

Some fans had speculated the top scorer might be the latest player on his way out of the club.

But Beech said the 11-goal frontman was suffering from “fatigue” in a hamstring injury relating to his time at previous club Aston Villa.

Beech said: “We’ve had it scanned and it’s showing clean, which is good for Harry.

“At Aston Villa he had a poor pull on a tendon in a hamstring. He told me he’s never played as many games in his whole career.

“He’s had a couple of loans where he’s never really been used – he felt he was too young when he went on loan but of course it was good experience.

“I don’t think until I came in he’s played continued 90 minutes; he was getting bit parts of games. So it’s probably just a catch-up of his first stresses of being a proper football player, playing every week, being responsible, affecting games.

“They love this word ‘fatigue’, but we have to get on top of it and make sure he’s fit to go, whether it’s Tuesday, Saturday or whenever it is, because every game’s so important.”