Preston confirm approach

Preston chairman Peter Ridsdale has requested permission to speak to the manager of a rival club as he looks to fill the Deepdale hotseat.

Ridsdale looks for permission to speak with managerial target

Preston chairman Peter Ridsdale has requested permission to speak to the manager of a rival club as he looks to fill the Deepdale hotseat. North End have been under the caretaker charge of David Unsworth and Graham Alexander after Phil Brown was axed midway through December following a dismal run of results. A number of names have been linked with the role, including Stevenage boss Graham Westley and former Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies, with the latest announcement from Ridsdale confirming that their top target would need to be prised away from his current post. He told the Lancashire Evening Post: "We have approached another football club for permission to speak to their manager. "I've spoken to that club's chairman and we're waiting to hear if permission has been granted. That is the stage we're at, and I don't want to make any further comment at this stage."

Focused

Westley's name has been thrust into the frame after his exploits since being appointed Stevenage manager in June 2008, during which time he has guided the club from the Blue Square Premier into League One. He enjoyed another memorable result at the weekend as the Broadhall Way side dumped Championship outfit Reading out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium. Speaking after the Royals clash, he said: "There have been rumours that I was moving on all week. "Everyone keeps asking me about if this was my last game with the club. I'm just focused on the game. "If the club comes to me and says there has been an approach, I will deal with it."