Carbone revives Gregory's interest

ASTON VILLA are poised to resurrect their interest in Sheffield Wednesday's Benito Carbone - despite pulling out a week ago because of the Italian's excessive wage demands.

ASTON VILLA are poised to resurrect their interest in Sheffield Wednesday's Benito Carbone - despite pulling out a week ago because of the Italian's excessive wage demands.

Carbone was close to leaving Hillsborough seven days ago and signing a four-year deal - the clubs having agreed a fee of around £1.2m - until Gregory learned of the striker's pay demands, thought to be around £33,000 per week. That would have made him the highest paid player in Villa history, earning £13,000 more a week than Dion Dublin and Paul Merson.

Gregory pulled out of the deal leaving Carbone with an uncertain future until his contract expires next summer.

However, the 28-year-old has now told Gregory that he wants to play for Villa and is willing to accept a dramatic cut in his previous demands. Gregory yesterday said: "I can confirm there has been a fresh move from Carbone's representatives, and that is something we will have to discuss."

Alan Sykes, the Wednesday secretary, added: "It's common knowledge we agreed a fee with Aston Villa, but talks broke down over the player's terms. However, if they are willing to look into it again, then we will obviously be delighted by that."

Carbone played for around 20 minutes in Sir Alex Ferguson's testimonial match at Old Trafford on Monday night, but was back training with the Owls' reserve team yesterday.

The Italian is again unlikely to figure for Sheffield Wednesday in tonight's Worthington Cup third-round tie at home to Nottingham Forest after last week's request to be left out of the squad for Wednesday's 5-1 victory over Wimbledon.

Some good news for Danny Wilson, the Wednesday manager, however, is that Andy Hinchcliffe, the England international out through injury for two months, could make areturn to action tonight.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, will be without the ineligible Ian Wright, with Marlon Harewood due to take his place up front.