YORK City chairman John Batchelor has put plans to sue the Football League on hold, the Evening Press can reveal.

The City supremo is also confident his revolutionary blueprint to restructure football will be discussed at a meeting of the game's big guns later this week.

A meeting of Football League chairman from Division Two and Three clubs will be held in London on Thursday when Batchelor's plans for a breakaway could be on to the agenda.

A proposal from Professional Footballers' Association boss Gordon Taylor, whereby League clubs would give up one of the three promotion places in return for £100million, may also come up for discussion.

As reported in the Press, Batchelor wants to form a new-look league involving Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic in time for next season.

He has already lined-up a sponsorship deal for the league from American-based battery company Rayovac.

Under his proposals, players would see their wages part-funded by the league and also dependent on gate receipts and the division in which they are playing.

Batchelor has also said he would like more promotion and relegation places up for grabs.

In light of this week's discussions, Batchelor confirmed he has put his plans to sue the Football League over their handling of the ITV Digitial fiasco on hold.

He also revealed for the first time that he would not rule out the Football League being involved in his Rayovac Pro-League.

"While the discussions about the potential breakaway are going on I have spoken to the Football League about the possibility of doing it under their umbrella but doing it our way," he said

"I have therefore suspended the threat of legal action until we resolve what's going to happen.

"Hopefully, everything will be much clearer after next Thursday's meeting.

"There are a number of ideas up for discussion, including the idea from the PFA and mine.

"I think the meeting will decide what direction we will all be going in."

Batchelor said he had explained his breakaway proposals "in depth, to everyone that needs to know".

"I think everyone is giving it some thought," said the City chief.

"The feedback we have had has been very positive."

Batchelor said the PFA and Taylor had been particularly keen to hear more about his plans.

"They have been very supportive, very positive and very forward thinking. Hopefully, the League will be as well," he added.

Football League spokesman John Nagle said Batchelor's plan was not on the agenda for Thursday's meeting but that did not prevent the issue from being discussed.

And Nagle confirmed restructuring proposals will top the agenda.

In particular, a report conducted by accountancy firm KPMG and commissioned by First Division chairmen is expected to dominate the discussions.

That report is expected to recommend more power given to Division One clubs and independent chief executives for each division.

City will travel to Lincoln City on Tuesday, October 22 for their LDV Vans Trophy first round tie.

The match, one of four away fixtures for City in October, at Sincil Bank kicks-off at 7.45pm.

A result will be decided on the night, whether in normal time, by golden goal or by penalties.

Updated: 11:46 Tuesday, September 24, 2002