A national newspaper claimed at the weekend that the former England captain was being lined up as the club's new manager by one of the two consortia believed to be bidding to take charge at Hillsborough.

Shearer, in a radio interview to publicise Sport Relief, subsequently said the claim was "news to me".

Laws was nevertheless asked about the story after seeing his Owls side claim a point from a dour Yorkshire derby at Barnsley, a result that leaves his side third bottom in the Championship.

He said: "You may as well throw a few more names in. The speculation is set by you lot in the media, you set the parameters of that.

"All we can do is do our jobs the best we can. Until someone tells me my job is in jeopardy or that someone is going to take over (the club) and they are going to move me out – well they have to take the club over first before you can surmise my job is in jeopardy.

"That is what I am disappointed in. People assume my job is in jeopardy because that is the norm. No one has taken over the club yet or made any suggestion.

"So, I don't know why this comes along now.

"You saw the supporters (at Oakwell), and they are not assuming it."

The 6,000 plus travelling army of Owls fans certainly seemed to be behind Laws with the manager having his name sung several times during the goalless draw.

On the game, Laws added: "We have a difficult run-in and we have to make sure we pick up points away from home. It could turn out to be an important one come the end of the season.

"We need to drag teams in towards us. If you get beat by those teams around you in the League, then it can be a bigger gap. So it was important to get something."

Barnsley manager Simon Davey believed the swirling wind had been a dominant factor in the game's lack of quality before revealing a huge setback for Anderson De Silva.

He said: "Unfortunately, Anderson has ruptured his cruciate so he will be out for a minimum of six months. It is a massive blow to Anderson and the club.

"He has not had the operation yet and is with his family, so we are all thinking about him. He is distraught at the news, but we will support him all we can."

Rob Kozluk was sent off in stoppage time for a second lunge at Marcus Tudgay, an offence that will see the former Sheffield United defender forced to sit out tomorrow night's trip to Blackpool.

Davey added: "It was two yellows so he misses Tuesday and not Chelsea. But, if you were to ask me which is more important, I would say Tuesday."