YORK City are hoping to bring Diego De Girolamo back to Bootham Crescent in the near future after he was recalled from his loan spell by Sheffield United.

The Blades want De Girolamo to be involved in their FA Cup trip to Crewe this weekend and next Wednesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at Walsall.

But City chief Russ Wilcox is hopeful that the Italian under-20 international could resume his youth loan with the Minstermen after those ties.

De Girolamo has netted three times in four appearances since his arrival from Bramall Lane last month with Wilcox saying: “I spoke to (Sheffield United manager) Nigel (Clough) and he said he needs him for the next two cup games they have got but I am hoping there might be an opportunity to bring him back after that because I’ve been really pleased with him.

“It’s a shame he’s gone back now, but we have to respect that he is Sheffield United’s player. That’s the bottom line.”

De Girolamo’s return has coincided with the return to fitness of fellow strikers Jake Hyde and Wes Fletcher and the completion of Ryan Jarvis’ three-match suspension, meaning City will have other striking options for their first round home Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

Winger Josh Carson, meanwhile, took part in an hour-long “in-house” match yesterday – his first action since suffering cruciate ligament damage in March – with Wilcox believing he is on schedule for his long-term target of a return to first-team duty by the end of this month.

The City boss added: “We played three 20-minute games and Josh played for the full hour. He’s a little bit away from first-team action but he looked good.

“It’s difficult to put a target on these things because you never know if there will be any setbacks but, looking at him yesterday. I would be disappointed if he’s not in and around the first-team squad by the end of November.”

Fletcher also completed 60 minutes after being sidelined with hamstring trouble for a month but centre-back Dave Winfield is still in the treatment room with his thigh injury.

City will continue to stage matches to step up Carson’s rehabilitation with Wilcox reasoning: “If we can’t organise friendlies against other teams, we will continue with in-house games on Tuesdays because we have three or four players that need to get up to speed.

“Sometimes, they are better than structured game because you have full control over them and can switch things around. They also give me a chance to have a good luck at some of our youth-team players.”

Teenage striker Ben Hirst, who has been on the club’s books since the age of 12, has also signed professional terms during the first year of his youth scholarship with Wilcox keen for him to further his education at Bootham Crescent rather than going out on loan.

The City boss explained: “Ben has good mobility. He’s not the finished article because he’s only 17 but he’s very keen to improve his game.

“He has a good attitude and we’re hoping he’s one for the future. He’s had a few appearances for the first team and been on the bench, which is pleasing because we want to see players develop and progress through our academy.

“It gives the rest of the lads a boost and the staff because it means they are doing a really good job as well. For now, we will monitor how he’s doing and I want to keep him here because it would be a matter of where do you loan him out at 17.

“You don’t want to go too low and I feel he’s better off staying in the building so we can continue developing him.”