Geoff Sheard insists he is in contact about buying Newcastle United from Mike Ashley.

Sheard, who tried unsuccessfully to take over at Sheffield Wednesday last season, claims to have been in talks with the Magpies for several weeks, but not on his own behalf.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "It's not me who is buying the club - that should be made very clear.

"I have put together a package for a group who want to come in and take over the club.

"That's what they want to do, given the opportunity to do so.

"Talks have been going on for a couple of weeks now."