BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has shot-down talk of a rift between him and chief executive John Williams.

Several stories in the national Press at the weekend claimed that Souness and Williams are currently at odds over the club's stance in regard to Damien Duff.

But Souness last night insisted that both men ARE united in their determination to hang onto the Republic of Ireland international this summer and the Rovers boss has dismissed the weekend stories as 'mischief making.'

"The situation is very simple. I think that's someone making mischief," said Souness.

"I'm very lucky, and it's one of the great parts of this job I've got, in that I've got a board of directors who let me get on with it.

"I've got a great working relationship with John Williams, the chief executive, and we both know that we've got players who are of interest to other clubs, and we are both realistic enough to know that if someone comes along with the right cash for Damien or whoever else that we are going to be hard-pressed to say 'no'.

"But he doesn't want to sell anyone and neither do I so it's just someone making mischief."

Souness underlined his determination to hang onto Duff at the end of last week but the Ewood chief also

admitted that Rovers could be powerless to prevent him from leaving if the player indicated he wanted to go this summer.

Until they receive an offer, however, Rovers will continue to plan ahead for next season with Duff an integral part of those plans.

And Souness is also hopeful he will have money to spend on new players after drawing up a list of five potential targets.