Preston North End have reported Stoke City over an alleged illegal approach for manager Alex Neil.

Preston are angry over reports that Neil was Stoke's favoured choice and that he was ready to take on the challenge of resurrecting the Championship's bottom placed club.

Bookmakers also installed Neil as favourite after a flurry of bets on Friday.

"Following recent press speculation Preston North End Football Club can confirm that their manager Alex Neil has reiterated his commitment to the football club and to the contract that he signed earlier this year," it read.

"Now that this speculation has been dismissed once and for all we can concentrate on what matters which is results on the field."