Chief executive Garry Cook announced earlier in the week that Shinawatra had offered to stand down as a director and is prepared to sell a stake in the club.

"In no way did I get the indication that he might be ready to sell. Far from it, in fact," Hughes told the Sunday Mirror.

"I think the reason I was invited down was to make sure I could understand his feelings about things and where he saw the club going now.

"I now have a better awareness of where we are at and I'm comfortable with that. I know the investment in the club will continue."

Hughes wants to assure supporters there is no need to panic.

He explained: "There's a lot of stuff flying around that doesn't really involve football, so I can understand the speculation.

"But the reality is I was very encouraged by Dr Thaksin's enthusiasm for the season ahead.

"I mean, we were making a £12m bid for a centre forward - what more can the guy do?"