CONFUSION reigned in Southampton this weekend over the St Mary's future of James Beattie.

Speculation continues that the 26-year-old will be the subject of a £7m bid from Newcastle, but officials at both Southampton and Newcastle have firmly denied the story.

The Daily Echo has been contacted by callers purporting to be friends of the striker, as well as people saying they work at Southampton Airport, claiming that Beattie was on Tyneside at the weekend.

Similar rumours were also spreading across supporters'message boards.

But leading figures at St James' Park and St Mary's are adamant that NOTHING is imminent.

And Beattie's agent could not have been more definite when he spoke directly to the Echo. "There's absolutely nothing happening," said Jon Smith. "There is no deal and I have not heard anything from Newcastle."

Fans remain worried that the player who has scored 40 goals for Saints in the past two Premiership seasons could leave.

But there have been other heavyweight denials, including Saints boss Paul Sturrock and chairman Rupert Lowe.

What's more, a high-up source at St James' Park added: "Talk of us making a bid for James Beattie is total rubbish. We are not in contact with the player or his club. A passing verbal enquiry was made a year ago at boardroom level, but not a word has been spoken since."

Beattie himself is keeping a low profile amid all the speculation and was not available for comment yesterday.

The striker, who has always said he is happy at St Mary's, was today due to report back for pre-season training with the rest of the Saints squad.

It is understood the 26-year-old is near the top of a short-list of potential Newcastle targets, but it is uncertain whether Sir Bobby Robson will move for a new striker before the start of the season - particularly as he is poised to add Nicky Butt to new £5m signing James Milner.

The Magpies begin pre-season training this week and then fly off for their mini-tour of the Far East next weekend.

Saints fan Dave Ford, of the Fair Oak Saints supporters groups, said the St Mary's faithful are more concerned about Antti Niemi's future rather than Beattie's.

"I don't want Beattie to go but he is replaceable," said Ford. "We can't afford to lose Niemi - he's the best in the Premiership. We should pay him what he deserves because he's top quality - if we don't we could lose him and that would be a nightmare."