PRESTON North End bosses have issued Blackburn Rovers with a stern hands off warning in relation to their highly-rated manager David Moyes.

Moyes is believed to be a dark horse in the race to become the successor to axed Ewood boss Brian Kidd.

But the Deepdale board would hate to lose the Scot who is regarded as one of the best up and coming managers in the game.

And they have released a statement clarifying their stance over Moyes's position.

The statement said: "We have not had any offer from Blackburn Rovers and we have not had any contact either.

"David is under contract at Preston and we would not welcome any approach from any club for his services."

But that will not deter Rovers from going through the appropriate channels if they decide Moyes is the man for the job.

A host of big-names have been linked with the Ewood post, including the likes of Greame Souness, Joe Kinnear, Terry Venables and Roy Evans. But though Moyes has only been in management for less than two seasons, he has already built up an impressive reputation.

In his first full season at Deepdale he led North End to the Second Division play-offs.

And he has carried on in a similar vein this term, picking up the Second Division Manager of the Month award for October on the back of an impressive unbeaten run.

Ironically, Moyes was touted as a possible replacement for Brian Kidd at Manchester United when the number two job became available at Old Trafford 11 months ago.

And he was also linked with the manager's job at Nottingham Forest in the summer before David Platt was appointed.

But Moyes is known to be ambitious and the chance to manage a club like Rovers would be an appealing proposition.

If Jack Walker and his board do decide to make an approach then the Scot could be faced with a lot of soul-searching.

But one man who has ruled himself out of the running is former England boss Graham Taylor.

Some tabloid stories had suggested the Watford boss was at the top of Jack Walker's wanted list.

But he has just signed a new three year contract with the Hornets and wants to lead their fight to stay in the Premiership. "He (Mr Walker) is a bit late because I've just signed a new three-year contract," said Taylor when asked about the speculation.

"And you can't just put your signature on a three-year contract and say what I've just said and then go off and join another club two weeks later."

Meanwhile, chief executive John Williams has said there was no official contact between Rovers and Arsenal regarding a possible cash-plus-player swop involving Matt Jansen and Lee Dixon.

One report yesterday suggested Brian Kidd was trying to tie up a deal with Arsene Wenger just 24 hours before he got sacked last week.

But that story is news to Williams.

"I cannot say with my hand on my heart whether Brian had any discussions of that nature or not because I just don't know," said Williams. "But there was never any official contact between the two clubs about a proposed deal."

Former Rovers midfielder Mark Atkins has joined Nationwide Conference outfit Doncaster Rovers on a short term basis. Atkins will link up with former Rovers team mate Mike Newell who is already on the playing staff at Belle Vue.

Rovers Supporters Association are holding their monthly quiz in the Blues bar tomorrow (8pm).

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