New Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell faces an anxious few weeks as he waits for "a crippling wage bill" to be eased to help unlock the door to the transfer market.

There remain 13 players on Leeds' books currently earning more than £1million per year, although three - David Batty, Jason Wilcox and Michael Bridges - are out of contract in a month's time and will be released.

A fourth, in Lucas Radebe, has negotiated a new one-year deal for next season and will fall into line with the club's Division One budget following their recent relegation from the Premier League.

With Alan Smith sold to Manchester United this week for £7million, and Paul Robinson already at Spurs following his £1.5million transfer, by the end of June the weekly saving for the six players will amount to around £150,000, an annual saving of £7.8million.

But that still leaves a further nine players on a seven-figure plus sum each year - a real problem for the club with Blackwell needing every penny he can lay his hands on.

Mark Viduka, Danny Mills, Dominic Matteo and Michael Duberry look the likeliest to move on, but Blackwell, who on Friday met with managing director David Richmond to discuss transfer plans, needs the funds quickly.

There is no kitty for the 45-year-old, appointed on a two-year contract on Wednesday, meaning every player he brings in has to be either on a free transfer or out of contract.

Blackwell has already signed Danny Pugh from Manchester United, while he has made contact with at least two other players, with new strikers his priority and former Aston Villa forward Dion Dublin among those mentioned.

But he cannot make progress until several of the club's over-paid stars have left.

He said: "We discussed a certain number of avenues we can explore, and we are exploring those at the moment.

"A lot obviously depends on who goes before we talk about who we can bring in and that is the stumbling block.

"Their wages are tied up - it's a crippling wage bill - but with Smithy and Robinson going, it's allowed us to discuss a couple of offers with players that we quite fancy.

"I've spoken to those players and they are mulling over the situation, but there are players who want to come to Leeds and would take a pay cut to do so."

At present, Blackwell is trying to make provisional agreements with some players in the hope of signing them once their contracts expire at the end of June.

Blackwell, who does not want to name his targets for fear of showing his hand, added: "I'm looking at quality and supplementing that with players who know the division and will be able to do a job."

Radebe, meanwhile, is to take his first steps on the coaching ladder next season by helping to train the rising young stars at Leeds' academy.

With the 34-year-old's playing career coming to an end, largely due to serious knee injuries sustained in the past few seasons, progressing into coaching represents a logical step up for Radebe.

The former South Africa international will not become an official member of the Leeds coaching staff, but he will assist others at the club.

"I've already started with my coaching studies and next season I'll be studying for the badge," confirmed Radebe.

"To get myself familiar with the job, I'll be involved in coaching at the academy."

Kevin Blackwell believes Radebe will one day become a superb coach, saying: "If he can get across the wealth of knowledge he has, I have no doubts he will make a fantastic coach, and maybe one day a great manager.

"He should enjoy his experience next season and I think a lot of these youngsters will really sit up and take notice of him."