EVERTON manager David Moyes is prepared to welcome back his former assistant Alan Irvine to the club on a temporary basis until he finds another job.

Irvine finds himself out of work after being suddenly dismissed by Coca-Cola Championship side Preston.

Moyes was stunned and reacted by telling his fellow Scot he could do some coaching at Finch Farm in the interim.

‘‘I was with Alan last night and I have said to him he is welcome to come in. He is a student of the game and won’t sit at home,’’ said Moyes, who learned his trade at Preston.

‘‘I was really disappointed for Alan. He was my assistant for a long time. I am also friendly with the people at Preston as well.

‘‘So it was a shock to me, as I think it was to everyone in football. They have a tight budget but every club is the same.

‘‘Alan has done such a good job he will undoubtedly work again. It would not surprise me if he gets one of the big jobs going around.’’ Bolton are one club in the market for a new manager after sacking Gary Megson with Moyes appalled by the abuse the former West Brom manager received from supporters in the 2-2 draw with Hull after taking in the game.

The 46-year-old added: ‘‘I couldn’t believe the treatment Gary got from the crowd. It was terrible. He didn’t deserve it. His team were winning.

‘‘The game was tight and he made a tactical change. The crowd affected the Bolton team which in turn didn’t help them and they ended with a draw.’’ Moyes believes he is in a privileged position at Goodison Park as his team prepare to face League One Carlisle in the FA Cup today looking to go one better than last season, when they were losing finalists to Chelsea.

He continued: ‘‘I think I am at a really good club. You look at the way some managers are getting treated at present.

‘‘I am really fortunate I am working with good people. At Everton there has been a level of success because of good stability.

‘‘We are a getting a big closer to winning trophies. We had a great run in the cup last season.

‘‘Playing on the last day at Wembley was special and has given me a bigger hunger to do it again.”