Preston North End head of recruitment Joe Savage is interesting Southampton as they search for a new sporting director.

Hearts are also taking an interest after Savage's impressive work at Deepdale, says Sky Sports.

North End have one of the smallest budgets in the Sky Bet Championship but are second in the table, two points behind leaders West Brom.

Savage joined Preston in 2017, following boss Alex Neil to Deepdale after the pair worked together at Norwich and Hamilton.

He was chief scout at Carrow Road for two years having been director of recruitment and analysis at Hamilton.