Preston North End have fired manager Alan Irvine.

The club’s chairman Derek Shaw explained the decision via his club’s official website: “The decision was not taken lightly. Alan did an extremely good job in keeping us in the Championship and took us to the Play-Offs last season, however, after a good start to the 2009/10 campaign we have only picked up seven points from a possible 30 since our last away victory against Sheffield Wednesday on October 20th.

“In that period we have only scored six goals and that sort of record is not something we could allow to continue without addressing it.

“I would like to place on record the Club’s sincere thanks to Alan for his efforts in his time here; we will make further comment and announce who is in charge for the weekend’s FA Cup tie later this week.”

Fulham ‘keeper David Stockdale has extended his contract at Craven Cottage until 2013.

The 24-year old joined the Premiership club from Darlington in June of last year for an undisclosed fee.

Stockdale told his club’s official website: “It means the world to me really. It was great to be here in the first place and I’m settled here and have had the opportunity to show what I can do. Thankfully the Club has rewarded me.

“The keepers here are great to learn from and there’s a wonderful rapport, if I can do half of what [Mark] Schwarzer and [Pascal] Zuberbuhler have done in their careers, it would be a great career to look back on. I’m working with the best here at Fulham and it was nice to get an opportunity in the Premier League against Everton earlier this season.”

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce seems clueless over renewed speculation regarding a deal involving defender Anton Ferdinand and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Alan Hutton.

Bruce said: “It has obviously come from the summer when [Spurs manager] Harry [Redknapp] came on deadline day to say he had a problem at centre-back and would I let Ferdinand go on loan?

“The simple answer was, ‘No, I am not interested in anything like that at all, no’.

“Whether that is still in Harry’s mindset, I do not know, but Ferdinand certainly won’t be going anywhere on loan, that’s for sure.

“Where the Hutton thing has come from, I don’t know.”

Ironically, Ferdinand is on the sidelines for at least a month with an ankle injury.

Arsenal striker Carlos Vela has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the North London club.

The Mexican international joined the Premiership club in 2007 and was immediately loaned to Spanish club Salamanca for an 18-month loan spell.

Vela told his club’s official website: “I’m very happy to sign a new contract and I’m very excited to be spending more years with Arsenal Football Club. I just want to work hard and help this great Club win trophies. I want to stay here for a long time and it’s a great responsibility. I will keep working hard to show the Boss and all the fans why I’m here.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added: “We’re delighted that Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract with the Club. Carlos is a fantastic talent and we have already seen glimpses of this during his performances.

“Let’s remember, he is still only 20 years-old, so there is still a huge amount to come from this boy. We have invested a lot of time in Carlos, as we put him in Spain for two years to get some good experience. Now he’s back with us, we’re working hard with him every day and he is a very exciting player. We’re looking forward to seeing Carlos score many goals in an Arsenal shirt for a long time to come.”