RUSS WILCOX believes York City will benefit from a "hungry" Diego De Girolamo after the striker returned to Bootham Crescent for a third spell.

The Italian Under-20 international linked up with the Minstermen after being loaned to the club until the end of the season by Sheffield United. City boss Wilcox revealed the 19-year-old had turned down other offers to come back and is thrilled his patient wait for the player has been rewarded.

De Girolamo scored four goals in his eight appearances for York and then netted for the Blades in the FA Cup against Preston North End after going back to Bramall Lane last month.

But he has been unable to agree terms on a new contract with United manager Nigel Clough and, after it was revealed he would be leaving South Yorkshire in the summer, he has been loaned out yet again.

Any club looking to buy a player recently linked with the likes of Serie 'A' giants Juventus and Premier League Sunderland will need to pay a fee following tribunal, with De Girolamo having come through the Sheffield United academy and being aged under 24.

"I would have thought we are struggling against Juventus and Sunderland," Wilcox laughed when asked whether he would look to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

"We will give it a go. The main thing is focusing on this season and making sure we get away from the bottom end as quickly as we can. We will then sit down in the summer and re-evaluate."

But he added: "We have got a hungry player who knows that these next ten weeks, and the next 15 games, are really important. Hopefully we can benefit from that. It is great for all parties. We have got him back and Diego has turned down other options to come back to York. That's how much he has enjoyed it. It shows we are are trying to do things right.

"That's important and it is great to get a player of his calibre back in the building."

On the selection issues it will now bring, with Wes Fletcher having found his scoring form and Emile Sinclair having netted twice in five games since his arrival at York, Wilcox added: "It adds more quality to the group.

"Whichever way you look at it, if you have got more quality and depth to come on to the pitch, you have got game-changers then on the bench. It is important to have as many goal scorers in the squad as we can possibly get.

"We have had to be patient. We have had to be respectful towards Sheffield United. I know all supporters will be delighted and there will be many that are quite surprised that he has come back to us."

Wilcox was scouting players yesterday at an under-21s game at Preston and was also on his travels on Monday as he looks to reinforce his squad. Asked about the possibility of further additions, either from the loan market - where he has now signed five players - or those who are unattached, he said: "We will look into both.

"We are always looking for the future and for next season, which is not too far away. We have to make sure this season is done right and we get over the line. We are always looking. You can always bring in more than five (loan players - but can only have five in a match-day squad).

"We have got to have a finger on the button. You don't know what's going to happen with injuries and suspensions around the corner."