Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has hit back at claims that Frank Williams is interested in helping him buy Newcastle United.

The new comes just 24 hours after the Sunday press claimed the pair were conspiring to buy out current owner Douglas Hall's 48% major share holding.

Shepherd totally dismissed the reports today, claiming, "Frank is an old friend of mine. We talk a lot and this was nothing more than a private get-together."

Despite these denials however, sources in the club are still claiming that Williams is indeed interested in the club. What seems certain is that Shepherd is looking for a partner to help him buy the club. If Williams isn't that partner, he will look to someone else.