ACTING PNE chairman has warned managerless clubs that David Moyes is out of bounds.

Derek Shaw let rip as speculation surrounding Moyes reached fever pitch in the press this week.

The celebrated Scot has been reported to be favourite to succeed Trevor Francis at Birmingham City after Steve Bruce, currently working wonders at Crystal Palace, was told by the London outfit that he wasn't going anywhere.

And Birmingham's interest in former Manchester City boss Joe Royle has also waned in the wake of his decision to sue the Main Road outfit for unfair dismissal.

Birmingham have already taken the unprecedented step of saying Moyes is a target -- a tactic obviously designed to upset and disturb activities at North End.

It is the kind of behaviour which North End condemned when Wolves announced they were after striker Jon Macken.

And while the club may have a new chairman at the helm -- even if he is only in the post temporarily -- Shaw has insisted nothing will change.

He said: "I am getting a fed up with our manager getting linked with every vacant position in the Premier League and Division One."

"David Moyes is our manager and we have had no approach from any football club to talk to him.

"And as far as I'm concerned he will stay our manager."

Moyes is believed to have a clause in his contract which means he can talk to any clubs which might make an approach for him.

But would Moyes actually relish the challenge at Birmingham? Although they may have more money available, they are a club in a state of flux.

Trevor Francis is rumoured to have teamed up with comedian Jasper Carrott to make a bid for the club. And in an industry dominated by personalities and point-settling, it doesn't take a genius to work out that anything connected with Preston isn't particularly popular at St Andrew's at the moment. The Brummies are still bitter that they didn't reach the play-off finals after Francis spat his dummy out over which end the penalties should have been taken during the second leg at Deepdale.

Moyes, for his part, is remaining non-committal. When asked if an approach had been made, he is reported to have replied: "That is a difficult one to answer." Moyes' first job, for the time being at least, is getting the team ready for Stockport on Saturday.

After a run of tough games, a visit by the basement club from may seem easy -- but they will be desperate for points if their season isn't to be declared a write-off by Christmas and could be a tough proposition.