Preston North End go into the festive season with fresh speculation linking David Nugent with a January departure from Deepdale.

Nugent, whose season so far has been blighted by injury and illness, last scored for Preston in the November 22 game at QPR.

But a string of impressive victories since then have once again highlighted Nugent's talent - and the fact Everton boss David Moyes was in the stands to watch his old club play Sheffield United on Friday helped sparked fresh speculation.

Nugent himself pledged to North End last week that he would remain for at least another two years - a sentiment shared by boss Billy Davies.

But the manager has admitted he believes Nugent will continue to get better, and with the transfer window due to open next month, a clutch of Premiership clubs are being linked with him.

Birmingham City are the latest club to be linked with him. They're struggling in the Premiership at present and boss Steve Bruce was also at Deepdale on Friday, although it is thought he may have been scouting out one of Sheffield United's players too.

Davies is refusing to be drawn on speculation, choosing instead to concentrate on the busy festive period.