Preston North End are exceeding all expectations this season as they look to continue to mount a play-off charge with ten games to go.

One of the Championship's dark horses for promotion, they are well placed outside the top-six with the home straight in sight.

Alex Neil has masterminded a charge up the table that sees North End just four points below the dotted line to extend their campaign.

It is a tough ask but having taken over a struggling outfit he has transformed their fortunes, making them resolute, hard to beat and fluid in attack.

He has impressed so much so, that West Bromwich Albion are reportedly admirers of the Scotsman.

Neil has caught the eye of the Baggies who parted company with Darren Moore after drawing with bottom-of-the-league Ipswich Town last weekend.

West Brom are fourth in the Championship and Neil is a reported target.

The Preston fans will be overcome with dread that the man who has reignited a flame at Deepdale could be off no sooner than he arrived.

Neil has been at the Lancashire club since 2017, taking over from Simon Grayson.

What the current boss has done is nothing short of sensational, taking the club from mediocrity to challenging for the play-offs.

They finished seventh last year, missing out on the top six by two points – as they look to go one better this time around.

Fans have not seen these times in years and will worry that if he leaves, the good times will too.

Neil has experience in getting teams promoted having taken Norwich City to the Premier League and has been close to that with Preston.

West Brom have the financial clout and position in the league to tempt the 37-year-old to the Hawthorns.

But the Lilywhites’ supporters will be begging he resists temptation and a financial increase to remain at Deepdale to see out his vision, at least for the rest of the campaign.

If he leaves, they will be beside themselves with frustration and anger – but it is the fear that will be the most harmful at present, as it could affect their form on the pitch.

This could be a watershed moment in Preston’s campaign – and Neil’s career as he could season have a choice to make.

The North End fans, meanwhile, will be fraught with fear at the potential outcome of any negotiations that may occur.