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Baggies ready to swoop for PNE boss
West Bromwich Albion were poised to make an official approach to Preston North End for Deepdale boss Alan Irvine on Monday.
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace wants Irvine installed at The Hawthorns this week and will make the first formal move.
Several bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Irvine's appointment in the West Midlands.
And although Deepdale chairman Derek Shaw concedes that a release clause in Irvine's contract would make him powerless to prevent talks, he has vowed to do everything in his power to keep him.
Shaw told the Evening Post: "We want Alan to remain as the manager of Preston. He had done a fantastic job.
"Nothing has changed over the weekend, though. We've not had any form of approach from WBA and we wouldn't welcome it.
"Alan is aware of the speculation, of course. He has been on holiday in Europe, not on Mars.
"In this day and age, you can read about or hear anything wherever you are in the world, so Alan knows.
"However, that's all it is, speculation, and he is planning for the new season with Preston."
>> Lawro fears PNE could lose Irvine
Shaw, who said it would be 'a disaster' if Irvine was tempted away, added: "As everybody is aware, though, Alan has it written into his contract that if there was interest from elsewhere then he could speak to that club and that's how it is."
Preston would demand at least 1m compensation from their Championship rivals, but that would not prove a stumbling block for WBA.
The Baggies received 2m from Celtic for Tony Mowbray, their former boss, and are due a hefty parachute payment following relegation from the Premier League.
Full story in Monday's Lancashire Evening Post
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Weather for Preston
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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Wind direction: East
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