Everton assistant boss Alan Irvine is a target for managerless Preston North End.

North End sacked Paul Simpson following a 3-0 defeat at Hull last weekend, with the result leaving the Lancashire side in 21st place in the Championship.

Paul Jewell was thought to the board's initial favourite to take the role at Deepdale but he has since declared his interest in the vacant Republic of Ireland position.

That has led the Lilywhites to look elsewhere, and while former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill remains an outside bet, they are long-term admirers of Irvine, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

The Scot has recently outlined his desire to start a career in management and a move to Preston, the club David Moyes left for Everton in 2002, would be appealing.

However, the 49-year-old is just one name on a contenders list that also includes Mike Newell, Barnsley's Simon Davey, MK Dons' Paul Ince and Blackpool's Simon Grayson.