Josh Simpson says he is in no rush to leave Crawley despite being told he has no long-term future at the club.

Simpson was stripped of the captaincy and slapped on the transfer list along with four other players three weeks ago.

A persistent hamstring injury wrecked the chances of the midfielder going out on loan before last week’s deadline meaning he will have to wait until the transfer window reopens in January to look for a new club.

But the 27-year-old says regaining full fitness is his main priority and has not ruled out staying at the Checkatrade.com Stadium until the end of the season when his contract is due to expire.

Simpson said: “I am not in any rush to go anywhere. Just because I am on the transfer list it doesn’t mean I have to leave.

“It needs to be right for me and my family.

“I might still be here at the end of the season or I could be gone in January but until somebody tells me I am not a Crawley Town player anymore I’ll keep working as hard as I can for the club. I’ve had four terrific years at Crawley so the current situation is a bit of a shame but this is not necessarily the end. The gaffer has said he wants the players on the transfer list to prove him wrong and that is what I intend to do.”

Simpson has also expressed his appreciation for the messages of support he has received from Crawley fans since being placed on the transfer list along with Matt Harrold, Lewis Young, Brian Jensen and Conor Henderson.

“Since I have been on the transfer list the support and love shown to me by the fans has been terrific,” he added. “I’ve received so many messages which has been really nice and the feeling is mutual as I have so much love for the club.

“Coming to Crawley has undoubtedly been the best move I have ever made. It was difficult going from the Championship (with Peterborough) to the Conference but I have never looked back.

“It has been such a good journey and who is to say this is the end of the road. I could do a Dannie Bulman and come back again!”