Preston North End News

Jon Parkin scored a hat-trick as managerless Preston hammered high-flying League One side Colchester.

FA Cup third round Venue: Deepdale Date: Saturday, 2 January Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score This is one of four ties pitting the Championship with League One.

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson was last night being linked to the vacant managers post at English Championship side Preston North End.

Preston North End have announced assistant manager Robert Kelly is to take temporary charge following the sacking of Alan Irvine yesterday.

Preston North End chairman Derek Shaw today insisted he would be 'foolish' not to consider Darren Ferguson as a potential successor to sacked boss Alan Irvine.

Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Preston North End have sacked their manager Alan Irvine little more than six months after he guided them into the Championship play-offs. The former Everton assistant manager has won many admirers since being appointed at Deepdale in November 2007 and they claimed a top-six finish last season.

Jamie Ward struck an 86th-minute winner to hand promotion-chasing Sheffield United a hard-fought victory over Coca-Cola Championship rivals Preston.

ST LEDGER SET FOR RECALL? Sheff. Utd v Preston. Click here to bet. Click here for Sheff Utd news Click here for Preston news Click here for head-to-head stats Preston could hand a surprise recall to defender Sean St Ledger when they travel to Sheffield United.

Coca Cola Championship Venue: Bramall Lane Date: Monday, 28 December 2009 Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score & highlights on The Football League Show Sheffield United defender Kyle Walker could miss out after picking up a knock in the game against Leicester.

SEAN ST LEDGER has returned to Preston North End and he is unlikely to be making a permanent transfer back to Middlesbrough.

Preston Evens Draw 12/5 Barnsley 11/4 Click here for Preston news Click here for Barnsley news Click here for head-to-head stats Preston boss Alan Irvine will be without winger Ross Wallace for the home clash with Roses rivals Barnsley.

Manager Alan Irvine has admitted Preston are unlikely to be involved in any major deals during the January transfer window.

GORDON Strachan has dismissed suggestions of a bustup with defender Sean St Ledger, and insisted the Irishman will be signing a permanent contract at the Riverside next month.

THERE was little sentiment on show at the City Ground last night as a couple of Preston old boys combined to send Forest joint second in the Championship.

QPR took a point from Paul Hart's first game. Coca Cola Championship. Click here to bet.

Forest begin to pass the game out. 72' Wallace beats Camp from distance with a dipping effort but, unfortunately for him, the effort drops the wrong side of the post.

Nottm. Forest 8/11 Draw 5/2 Preston 4/1 Click here for Nottingham Forest news Click here for Preston news Click here for head-to-head stats David McGoldrick will be hoping his match-winning goal at Swansea will be enough to keep his place in the Nottingham Forest line-up against Preston.

PAUL Mariner was none too impressed by what he witnessed from Plymouth Argyle's reserve team at Home Park yesterday afternoon - and the Pilgrims' head coach also saw one of the club's experienced players aggravate an injury problem.

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AN instant transformation was never a realistic prospect, but Paul Mariner has been quick to stamp his authority on the way in which Plymouth Argyle try to play football.