Former Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has been named as a possible contender for the England Under-21 head coach job.

National reports say Simpson, currently assistant boss at Bristol City, could be one of the names discussed by the Football Association.

It is expected that current U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd will not be retained beyond the expiry of his contract this summer.

England face a must-win game against Croatia today to give themselves a chance of staying in the European U21 Championships.

But regardles of whether they progress, the Mail report that a change in the top job is likely after what has so far been another disappointing campaign.

Carlisle-born Simpson is highly regarded in the FA after leading England's Under-20s to the World Cup in 2017.

Frank Lampard is said to have his admirers with former Under-17 boss Steve Cooper, now at he Swansea helm, another man linked.

John McDermott, the FA's new Technical Director, will be in charge of finding the next Under-21 boss. 

Simpson is currently part of fellow ex-United manager Nigel Pearson's coaching staff at Bristol City, who are 14th in the Championship.

The former Morton School boy delivered back-to-back promotions in 2005 and 2006 in a hugely successful spell at Brunton Park.

He has also managed Rochdale, Preston, Shrewsbury and Stockport, and returned to the club game at Ashton Gate last summer after several years with the FA.