David Moyes could make an unexpected return to football management with first club Preston North End should the Deepdale outfit lose their current incumbent Simon Grayson to Sunderland.
Championship side Preston are aware that Grayson is on the shortlist in the north-east and have already considered contingency plans should he leave.
They include the prospect of a bold approach for 54-year-old Moyes, who may be open to trying to resurrect his career on familiar territory.
Moyes managed Preston between 1993 and 1999 and still lives in the area.