Moyessiah!

David Moyes was in attendance to see former club Preston at the weekend, with David Nugent thought to be the subject of his observations. Preston went down to a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Premiership opposition in the guise of Middlesbrough, but Moyes is nevertheless likely to have been impressed by the performance of Nugent. With Everton not due to play Middlesbrough until April 29, it seems fair to suggest Moyes was running the rule over the former Bury starlet. The promising striker, a reported long-term target for The Toffees, was a persistent thorn in Boro's backline and was perhaps unfortunate not to etch his name on the scoresheet after several decent efforts. Nugent is currently in talks with his Preston paymasters about a new deal at Deepdale, he has two years left on his current contract, but this has not quelled talk of a possible departure. Birmingham boss Steve Bruce admitted he watched the player in the January transfer window, while Everton have always been credited as holding an interest. Nugent has scored eight goals this season for a Preston side chasing promotion but it is his overall game that has attracted scouts to Deepdale on a regular basis

BILLY DAVIES has told Everton it will take an “astronomical figure” to persuade Preston to part with David Nugent. North End boss Davies issued an angry hands-off warning after hearing the Toffees plan a £2million bid for the England Under-21 striker, 20. Davies said: “I do think he will move on to a bigger stage but the time is not right at the moment. That will be in a couple of years’ time. “It would have to be an astronomical figure before we would consider selling him. And that would be a figure way beyond any that has been mentioned.” Davies is bidding to sign Walsall’s England Under- 19 striker Matty Fryatt in a player-plus-cash deal. Preston midfielder Eric Skora, 24, is on loan at Walsall and would form part of the agreement.