York City new caretaker chief Steve Torpey has admitted the club’s managerial vacancy has come too early for him.

Torpey, who turns 40 in December, did not apply for the job following Martin Foyle’s resignation and fully expects to return to his job as youth-team coach after today’s Blue Square Bet Premier clash at Newport.

The former Scunthorpe and Swansea striker has been handed the temporary reins after Andy Porter, who was previously standing in for Foyle, was told he would not be given the job on a permanent basis.

But Torpey believes the club will make a new appointment before next weekend’s home match with Bath City.

He said: “I’m not looking for the job. I would like to manage at some stage but when I feel it’s the right time. I don’t feel I have the experience at this level at the moment.”

Torpey – a former coach at Lincoln City, Farsley Celtic and North Ferriby – will be joined in the dugout in South Wales by goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning, who previously fulfilled that role at Sheffield United.

Of Leaning’s aid, Torpey said: “Andy brings experience which is greatly appreciated.”

Despite the fact he is only likely to be in charge for one game, Torpey is not shying away from any team and tactical changes he feels might need to be made.

He said: “I’ve just prepared everything as we would do normally while adding my own bit of input during a one-and-a-half hour training session in Bristol. We’ve done a bit of homework on them.

“They’re quite direct and they have a big 6ft 3in lad up front in Matthews. Their home form is formidable and it’s a tough place to go but they have to lose some time.

“We’re looking for a nice positive performance and a reaction to losing at home to Kettering on Tuesday night. I am looking forward to the game.

“I don’t know whether the new manager will be in the stand watching but it’s a good opportunity for the lads to express themselves.”

Striker Michael Rankine remains a doubt with an ankle injury and Djoumin Sangare has also been ruled out with a sickness bug, although midfielder Danny Racchi is available again after missing the last two matches through illness.

Torpey also revealed he would not be pulling on the boots again 18 months after his last City appearance despite being issued with a squad number and registered as a player again.

He said: “We did that because we had two or three injuries with Michael Rankine and George Purcell going down but we have got new players in since then.

“It was just a precautionary measure to sign me on as a player.

“I still love training with the pros and youth team but I haven’t played a match for a long time as all my focus is on coaching at York City.”

He will, however, be hoping to instil belief into the side’s strikers after a run of one point and one goal from the last three matches, saying: “It’s confidence because we have created enough chances against Darlington, Eastbourne and Kettering.

“It just needs one to go off somebody’s backside and that will start them scoring because it’s in all of their lockers.”

Torpey’s appointment as caretaker manager caps a frantic fortnight in which he has had to combine his role with the under-18 side with senior coaching duties and he added: “Martin’s decision was a big surprise.

“I got a phone call from him when he had decided to go but, like everybody else, he did not tell me the reasons. Since then, it has been difficult but, with the help we’ve had from everybody at the club, it’s been okay. It’s surprising what you manage to do when you have to.”