Preston North End manager Alex Neil has once again dismissed speculation linking him with a move to West Bromwich Albion to become their new manager.

The Baggies are still on the look-out for a new manager after parting company with Darren Moore in late February, with caretaker manager James Shan winning three out of five games in charge thus far.

The West Midlands side have identified Neil as their primary target to replace Moore at the Hawthorns, given the job that he has done with Preston North End this term.

The Scotsman took the club to within touching distance of the play-offs, before embarking on a run of three straight league defeats, which sees them now occupy 12th spot in the table.

Reports from the Telegraph claim that Albion are ready to offer Neil the chance to take the Baggies back up to the Premier League, and are poised to make an official approach for the 37-year old.

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But speaking to Lancashire Evening Post journalist Dave Seddon, Neil said: "I'm not going to talk about West Brom. I'm manager of Preston North End. People can talk as much as they want to talk. I've got a job to do here and we have a match to focus on."

Coincidentally, Neil's Preston face West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday, and what is likely to be an eventful day for the Scotsman.

West Brom, after two defeats on the bounce, sit 4th in the Championship table, nine points off the top six.

The Verdict

I wouldn't have expected Neil to say anything else about the job to be honest, he isn't exactly going to turn around and say that he wants to move to West Brom.

For me, he's the perfect man for the Baggies - he has experience of winning promotion via the play-offs before, he plays good football, and he's still quite young which makes him a good option for the long term.

It would be a coup to lure him away from Deepdale, though.