MIDDLESBROUGH are poised to end Benito Carbone's Bradford nightmare in a shock deadline day move today.

Carbone and agent Giovanni Branchini are to meet with Boro chairman Steve Gibson and coach Terry Venables in the hope of thrashing out a deal ahead of the 5pm cut-off point.

It is understood the bottom-of-the-table Bantams could be ready to let Carbone go for nothing, despite more than three years remaining on the Italian's contract, in a desperate bid to save almost £350,000 in wages to the end of the season.

Carbone is ready to forego a dream return to Italy this summer in favour of the Riverside, but it is the striker's staggering wages which could prove the ultimate stumbling block for Boro.

When Carbone arrived at Bradford for nothing in the summer after being released by Aston Villa he was hailed as ''a hero'' by chairman Geoffrey Richmond, who pushed the boat out by agreeing to make the 27-year-old one of the highest-paid players in the Premiership on £40,000 per week.

But it was a high-profile move, just like those of Stan Collymore and Dan Petrescu, which ultimately backfired on Richmond and Bradford as their aspirations of more than just top-flight survival turned sour.

The arrival of boss Jim Jefferies, in the wake of Chris Hutchings' sacking, proved Carbone's downfall as the Scot quickly made it clear there was no place in his future plans for the former Sheffield Wednesday forward.

Carbone's hopes of securing a return to his homeland before the recent closure of the transfer window failed to materialise, which left him kicking his heels at City with the prospect of having to wait until the summer to secure a deal.

After almost seven weeks in the wilderness Jefferies then decided to restore Carbone to the starting line-up and he has not disappointed in the three matches he has played since.

But Carbone has been unable to halt the club's slide in fortunes, with Bradford on the brink of a return to the First Division which has led to Jefferies scything his way through the squad.

Providing terms can be brokered Carbone will become the tenth player to leave the sinking Bradford ship in recent weeks, following in the footsteps of Dean Windass, who last Thursday joined Boro for £1m.

With City eager to get Carbone off their wage bill, Jefferies confirmed: ''A Premiership club is involved, although it is far from a done deal.

''We have told Beni there has been an enquiry for him and he has decided to go and speak to them tomorrow. But it is a move which is in the balance.

''It depends on how much he wants to leave. But it's clear he's had second thoughts about going back to Italy. Maybe he is settled now.

''It would seem the lack of interest from Italian clubs has changed his mind and this is a good opportunity.

''He has knuckled down in training and in the last few games he has shown just what he can do.

''I have to say he is a smashing boy but unfortunately for us his wages would be just too difficult to service in the First Division.''

l Eoin Jess' hoped-for move to Bradford is also in limbo, although the midfielder has been given permission by Aberdeen to play for City in a testimonial match against St Johnstone tomorrow night.