Keeper coach Steve Collis has agreed to remain with Carlisle United for the rest of the season.

The former Rochdale man has been “helping” in recent weeks due to the absence and then permanent departure of Craig Wight.

Head coach Chris Beech says that arrangement will now continue at least until the close of 2019/20.

Beech said: “I’m thankful of his support and help, and he’s agreed to continue to do that at least until the summer.

“In terms of the next 12 games, we’ve got that provision covered.”

Wight left Carlisle just over a week ago with neither party commenting in any detail on the reasons behind the Scot’s departure.

Collis, 38, worked with United’s keepers for five first-team games while Wight was absent from Brunton Park.

Beech said having a new coach in the building could benefit players.

He added: “It’s great having fresh eyes come in - like mine, my eyes coming into the building [in November].

“Sometimes, [doing] things people have done for so long is really good but sometimes it’s not.

“That’s not [just] the players, but everything, including what goes on.”

Beech said that includes his decision to ask players to train on Saturday evenings shortly after the end of first-team games.

Out-of-favour players trained in the Neil Centre soon after the 2-2 draw against the Shrimps at Brunton Park.

The United boss added: “We are training while everybody’s here, while I’ve got a physio available if anything goes wrong, while you can meet that provision in the Neil Centre.

“I think supporters utilised it from 5-6pm after home games. They watch the game then run around in there for an hour.

“I’m not too sure what the gent was called but I was really thankful they’ve changed that slot [so it can be] our slot.

“We’ve got a squad that needs challenged and tested. If you’ve not started on Saturday, I want that to crack on and go ahead.

“We’re doing all sorts of different things.”