YORK City will wait for as long as it takes to bring Diego De Girolamo back to Bootham Crescent.

It had been hoped that the Sheffield United striker would return for a third loan spell with the Minstermen following Saturday's FA Cup clash against Preston.

But with that game ending in a 1-1 draw, following De Girolamo's second-half equaliser, the Italian under-20 international is now expected to be needed for next Tuesday's fourth round replay at Bramall Lane as Blades boss Nigel Clough looks to balance the club's League One play-off hopes with their continued involvement in both major domestic cup competitions.

Clough's team entertain Tottenham tomorrow night hoping to overturn a 1-0 semi-final, first-leg deficit in the Capital One Cup.

Should United also progress past Preston, then a last-16 FA Cup tie will await over the weekend of February 14 and 15 when De Girolamo might be required again.

But City boss Russ Wilcox has insisted he will remain patient in his pursuit of De Girolamo, who netted four times in eight appearances during two separate spells in North Yorkshire earlier this season.

He reasoned: "If we need to wait for him, then we will definitely do that and we will leave the door open for as long as it takes, because he gives you that little bit of extra quality that you need.

"He showed that with some of his goals, like the one at Cheltenham. Players like Diego can win you games and help you pick up points, but he will play in the replay for Sheffield United now and they've still got a fantastic chance to get through to the League Cup final as well."

Wilcox also admitted that he might need to canvas the 19-year-old forward for his thoughts on playing for the Minstermen again, having netted his first senior goal for the Sheffield outfit.

"We need to know Diego's views on his situation as well because they might have changed," the City chief explained. "He's had a little taste of their first team now and scored a goal, so might want to stay there and fight for a shirt."

Cup exploits elsewhere over the weekend might have a bearing on De Girolamo's future too.

Clough had suggested previously that the skilful attacker would be free to rejoin City if he could secure his own transfer market targets during the January transfer window.

IN DEMAND: Watch Diego De Girolamo scored Sheffield United's equaliser in the FA Cup against Preston at Deepdale at the weekend

But Chris O'Grady scored during Brighton's 3-2 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday and the south-coast club's new boss Chris Hughton is now talking about keeping him at the Amex Stadium.

It had previously been reported that the Seagulls had agreed to let O'Grady join the Blades on a permanent basis this month following his loan spell in South Yorkshire at the end of last year.

"Things can change hourly in this game so that might have an impact on the whole thing too," Wilcox admitted.

Centre-back Dave Winfield, meanwhile, has returned to full training for City following his bout of tonsillitis.