Mike Williamson denies split in Newcastle United squad

Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has refuted suggestions that there is a rift within the Magpies team.

Recent reports have claimed that there has been a split between the club's French contingent and the other players in the squad during their relegation battle.

Fears of dropping into the Championship were stamped out when the club retained their Premier League status with a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

"There has been a lot said about it, a lot of speculation but you could see the commitment and the euphoria after the game between the players," Williamson told the Daily Echo.

"There is a lot of passion now and we are a very tight bunch. Maybe a lot is said about it in the media but it is all rubbish because the lads are tight, everyone doing it for themselves as much as each other."

Newcastle's final game of the season is against Arsenal.