Al be off then

David Moyes' right-hand man is in talks with the Lancashire club after they sacked manager Paul Simpson earlier this month.

PNE chairman, Derek Shaw, is thought to be keen to appoint a new manager by the weekend and is believed to be an admirer of the work done by Irvine during his time at Everton.

Irvine was appointed as Everton's number two by David Moyes shortly after he left Deepdale to take over at Goodison towards the end of the 2001-02 season.

Prior to that he had worked at both Blackburn and Newcastle, where he was in charge of the youth academy.

Irvine also had a short spell as a player at Everton, making 80 appearances for the Blues during the mid-eighties.

David Moyes will now have to look for a successor to Irvine, if only so he has someone to do the press conferences before and after League Cup games, and must decide whether to promote a member of the current playing staff of look outside the club.

The only player currently at the club who would seem to fit the bill would be Alan Stubbs, if only because he's really the only player old enough to be even thinking about moving into coaching and management.

Another name that has been mooted is that of Gary 'who said shithouse' Speed, as the former Everton player is currently on the coaching staff at Bolton.

This would prove to be a controversial appointment after Speed's acrimonious exit from Goodison, but there's no denying that Speed is an exemplary professional and would be set a great example to every player at the club.

Unless he was setting an example on how to get away from Goodison…

Other names is the frame, are Jimmy Lumsden, who worked with Moyes at Preston and is currently first team coach at Everton and, reserve team coach, Andy Holden.

My money's on Big Dunc coming back!