Premiership: Let me stay at Derby - Carbone

Benito Carbone wants to stay at Derby - and knows he is playing for his Pride Park future.

Carbone struck his first goal in his 10th game for the Rams in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

But his three-month loan spell from Bradford ends on January 19.

Premiership regulations dictate that, if he were to stay at Pride Park, he would have to get a permanent deal.

Both Rams boss Colin Todd and Carbone are keen for the striker to stay with the club on a permanent basis.

Carbone said: "I would like to stay, I have already made that clear, but it depends what the club wants to do.

"After Christmas somebody must come and say, 'Beni we would like to sign you, or Beni there is some problem.'

"We must wait another couple of weeks. Possibly there will be talks in the New Year. Perhaps it will depend on where the club are after the next few matches."

Carbone can expect to figure alongside his compatriot Fabrizio Ravanelli up front again as Derby aim to improve their appalling Premiership away form at West Ham on Boxing Day.

They have taken a solitary point from their travels so far this season and Carbone knows only too well about another Italian who is seeking to extend that dismal run.

Carbone will come face-to-face with his former Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Paolo di Canio, a player he rates as one of the best in the British game.

"He was the best player in the league for the first two years at West Ham," said Carbone.

"When David Ginola won the Player of the Year awards in 1999, it should have gone to di Canio. He was much better in that season.

"With his experience he gives West Ham confidence and he is now a big star. I will try to talk to him and tell him to have a quiet game."