York City coach Luther Blissett is to leave the club - although on a temporary basis only.

Blissett, brought to City by chairman John Batchelor in the summer to serve as coach under manager Terry Dolan, is to adopt a new role "imminently".

The former Watford and England striker is expected to be working on a number of new foreign commercial opportunities identified by Batchelor.

Although it means Blissett will be out of the country over the next few weeks, Batchelor, who was keeping tight-lipped as to the exact nature of Blissett's foreign visits, is adamant the 44-year-old's long-term future at the club is not in doubt.

"Luther's role in terms of coaching at the club will not change," said Batchelor. "He will still be coaching when he returns.

"But for the next two or three weeks he will be abroad on certain matters looking at a few things for me.

"At Watford, he was involved in a some commercial aspects at the club that I would like him to explore further."

Batchelor has also confirmed he was to hold further talks today with the York City Supporters' Trust about their possible take-over of the Minstermen.

Furthermore, the City chairman has revealed he was expecting to begin negotiations with three other possible investors in the cash-strapped club.

Batchelor, who was at yesterday's Football League meeting in Oxford when the proposal to introduce a salary cap was backed by clubs, has said even if the Trust go through with their take-over he would like to remain in control of the club's commercial activities.

And he indicated he is in no rush to relinquish his ownership when he told the Evening Press: "I am also meeting with three other people today who are potentially interested in investing in the club."

The City chairman confirmed the principle of salary-capping - the proposal was that clubs should be allowed to spend no more than 60 per cent of their income on wages - had been backed by clubs at yesterday's League meeting.

However, he said he was able to put forward his own £500 million rescue package for football to his fellow chairman at the meeting.

And he maintains his plan, whereby the League borrows the money against future gate receipts, proved popular with delegates.

"I was inundated with interest from other League chairman which shows the Football League board are out of touch with their membership," he said.

"I've had a lot of support for it and it is something we will be looking at other the next five days or so."

Updated: 11:28 Friday, November 22, 2002