FORMER England and AC Milan striker Luther Blissett is on the verge of linking up with York City, the Evening Press can reveal.

The Watford legend was a notable face in the directors' box at last night's final home game of the season as the Minstermen triumphed 3-0 over Bristol Rovers.

Blissett took his seat alongside new chairman John Batchelor and the Evening Press understands the two are due to hold more talks about his future involvement at the club this weekend.

Batchelor said: "I am in discussions with Luther Blissett on a number of commercial issues.

"He has a number of parallel business interests with me and we have some common ground."

Batchelor was adamant Blissett was not being lined up as a replacement for boss Terry Dolan, who has now overseen City's climb to 14th place with last night's win.

"From a football point of view, I think Terry Dolan has done a superb job," said the City supremo.

"I can only speak from what I know, and since I have been involved at the club he has done superbly and we would be daft to make any such change when results have been so good.

"With the team playing as it is and with so many youngsters coming through, there is every indication that the future will be a good one.

"The only problem for us is that the season is ending at the wrong time, just as we are starting to record some really good wins."

Although Blissett's involvement will likely be more on the business side of the club, Batchelor said his vast football expertise could also prove invaluable.

"At the moment, he is not tied to any club and part of the interest stems from the fact he is keen to stay involved in some form with football," explained Batchelor.

"Although primarily our links stem from some commercial interests we are working on, it would be silly not to draw on his vast experience in football if needs be."

Blissett, 44, is a keen follower of the British Touring Car championships in which Batchelor and his York City Racing Team compete.

It is at this weekend's Oulton Park meet of the championships that Blissett and Batchelor will hold more talks.

Blissett made a record 503 appearances for Watford scoring 186 goals, another Hornets' record, during their meteoric rise from the old Fourth Division to Division One in the 1970s and 1980s.

His scoring exploits earned him 14 England caps and a multi-million pound move to AC Milan. He also served as a coach and reserve team boss at Vicarage Road.

City reserves play their final match of the season tonight when they entertain Stoke City at Bootham Crescent, kick-off 7pm.

The team features trialist striker Craig Wilding, who impressed in the reserves' 4-3 defeat to Grimsby.

Fellow trialist Robert Purdie, who also featured against Grimsby, is not included. It is understood he is on trial at Peterborough.

City reserves: Collinson, Law, Thompson, Cooper, Fielding, Davies, Rhodes, Richardson, Wilding, Yalcin, Darlow. Subs from: Hampshire, McCabe, McKenzie, Coad.

Updated: 11:46 Wednesday, April 17, 2002