US businessman Daniel Williams today played down any immediate interest in buying Saints - despite rumours that he was poised with a bid.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Williams, 30, said his consortium was in "the early stages" of talks with Blackburn Rovers, his boyhood club, which he would like to buy.

But when asked about a Saints deal should his Blackburn bid fail, he also said: "I am never going to rule myself out of anything.

"At the moment my thoughts are with Blackburn.

"That's why we have put our group together to buy them and that will always be our first vote.

"It would have to be a very different and compelling proposition to invest outside of the Premiership.

"But I am not going to say I won't consider anything. I will consider anything".

Full story: See today's Daily Echo.