Hamworthy United chairman Bruce Scammell hopes to be in a position to name Phil Simkin’s successor as manager before the players train again tomorrow.

Simkin controversially departed after their 1-0 defeat at Totton & Eling nine days ago, and Hammers slumped to the bottom of the Premier Division following a 2-0 home reverse against New Milton on Saturday.

Hammers’ next game is at home to Cowes Sports next Saturday, and Scammell said: “We want to ideally make an announcement at training on Tuesday night.

“We’ve had quite a response, and have narrowed it down to three or four people.

“We’re talking to someone on Monday night and hopefully we’ll make a decision after that.”

Scammell, who saw his side lose to second-half goals from New Milton’s Warren Kenna (penalty) and Ashley Booker, with a 25-yard sizzler, added: “It’s disappointing we’re bottom.

“But we saw the way the results were going several weeks ago.

“There are still loads of players unavailable through injury and things, and the lads are finding it difficult.”

Former Poppies boss James Wood is believed to have been interviewed by Scammell, while ex-Cherries youth coach Brian O’Donnell is also thought to be in the running for the job.

But caretaker-boss Sean Bartlett, who took control of the side with Andy James for the New Milton clash, has ruled himself out of permanent charge.

Bartlett said: “I’m just keeping things ticking over until I’m told otherwise, and the lads will be in for training on Tuesday and Thursday as normal.

“I feel a bit sorry for them. We just need the rub of the green. We’re bottom and it’s not a nice position.

“We just have to keep plugging away and things will turn around.”

New Milton took full advantage of Hammers’ problems to grab their first win in 10 league matches and jump off the foot of the table, with their joint-boss Paul Masters saying: “It’s nice to be off the bottom.

“We feel we haven’t played particularly badly over the last six weeks, but we probably haven’t had the luck.

“Hopefully, we’ll move onwards and upwards after this win.”

Hamworthy United: Shergold, Yelland, Jackson, Llewellyn, Horlock, Crow, Vavrecka, Khider, Cannie, Mutch (Swann ht), Dancer. Unused subs: Dovell, Antrobus.

New Milton: Webb, R Chengadu, Coleman, Byers, Clarke, Quirk (Booker 65), L Walker, Kenna, Lilley (Gunn 85), Burt, Mead. Unused subs: Forbes-Broome, Small.