YORK City caretaker boss Viv Busby has admitted for the first time that the club may look to offload certain players to bring in new faces.

Busby is keen to make "two or three signings" that will help ensure Nationwide Conference survival but might also need to make room on the KitKat Crescent wage bill.

Despite offering to step down as acting manager following Saturday's 3-0 FA Trophy defeat at Burton Albion, Busby has earmarked several possible transfer targets and has watched two reserve games this week in his continued search for new players.

He said: "We are looking to bring in at least a couple of players and there might have to be a bit of movement in the other direction for that to happen. That could be difficult though because you have got to find somebody who wants to take them.

"If we bring the players in we would like, however, a few might come knocking on my door asking what it means for their futures."

Steve Davis, Darren Dunning, Chris Brass, Lee Nogan, Chris Porter and Andy Bishop are all contracted to the Minstermen beyond the end of this season but the rest of City's playing staff, aside from first and second-year apprentices, could face an uncertain summer.

Some might be given the opportunity to find alternative employers in coming weeks if they are unlikely to figure in City's immediate and future plans.

Others will be given the opportunity to prove their long-term worth to the club.

Busby ran his eye over a possible target at a reserve match yesterday but will not be pursuing his interest yet.

He declared: "I went to see a lad but he did not perform on the day. It might just have been one of those bad games because we have had good reports about him so we will have another look next week."

Updated: 10:14 Thursday, January 20, 2005