After coming back to the Midlands for the Masters at the weekend Benito Carbone spoke of his desire to come back for a longer stay.
The 37-year-old former Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford (to name just a few!) forward was called into Aston Villa's Masters team at the last minute and showed he can still play. Carbone walked off with the player of the tournament award as well as the golden boot after scoring seven goals as Villa were beaten by 'The Dingles' in the final.
Carbone showed his trademark touch had not deserted him and he has now set his heart on a return to England after seven years back in Italian football. Having spent last season in Lega Pro Seconda his efforts on Sunday have put him in the shop window and a return to these shores very likely.
A return to the top two divisions seems out of reach for Carbone and although his agent has linked him to Sheffield United and Wigan, League One seems a more likely destination and Walsall along with Oldham are believed to be keen on the former Como man.
"It's the best thing that has happened in the last four or five years," said Carbone. "It's great to be back in England and back in a Villa shirt.
"I enjoyed the games and played well and I enjoyed being with the team. I'm sorry we lost the final and I would have preferred to win the team trophy than my own trophy.
"Ian Taylor called me in Italy and I packed straight away and came back. I am still playing football back in Italy in the second division but I would prefer to be back in England."
This time of year stories like this fill the back pages but would the Italian solve Walsall's deserting crowd problem, for the short term at least? Expect more ageing stars to be linked. Carbone's link to Walsall is geographical location and him working with CH at Bradford.