Everton veteran defender Alan Stubbs has backed former assistant manager Alan Irvine's decision to accept the manager's post at Preston North End.

Stubbs told evertonTV: "All the lads got on well with Alan, they will be wishing him all the best and I'm sure a few will ring him and tell him that.

"It's great for Alan and a great club for his first management job.

"The club has a lot of tradition that goes with it.

"The foundations of the club seem very good and they have done well over the last few years."