Villa back for Yorke

John Gregory is ready to test Sir Alex Ferguson's resolve to keep Dwight Yorke by making a renewed bid for his former striker.

The Aston Villa manager failed in his attempt to lure Frederic Kanoute away from West Ham and will now turn his attentions back to Yorke.

Gregory made one tentative enquiry as soon as last season had finished but was told that Manchester United wanted to recoup all of the £12.6million they paid Villa for the 29-year-old three years ago.

Villa now hope that Ferguson has finally tired of Yorke's high-profile private life and will pitch an offer at around £8m.

Leicester have increased their offer for Coventry striker John Hartson to £3.5m, having had a £1m bid turned down.

Relegated Coventry made Hartson a substantial offer to stay with them but the Wales striker rejected it and now looks certain to start the new season elsewhere.

Coventry, reportedly £25m in debt, have already sold Craig Bellamy to Newcastle for £6m and now look set to lose both Hartson and Moustapha Hadji before June is out.