BENNI JETS OUT AS VILLA TALK GROWS

The Celta Vigo attacker has admitted his desire to solve John Gregory`s striking problems, and some claims have been made that an £8 million deal is on the brink of going through.

However, Rob Moore, McCarthy`s agent, has exclusively told planetfootball.com that his client will be in international action this weekend, and the livewire attacker is not able to head for England until Monday, at the earliest.

The player has left Spain to play in Bafana Bafana`s African Cup of Nations encounter with Liberia on Saturday.

"Hopefully, this week, we can get it sorted out," admitted Moore.

"The earliest we can leave South Africa is on Sunday, and arrive in England on Monday.

"That would be the timetable but it is up to the clubs to reach an agreement. If they don`t get an agreement in writing by Friday, we will walk away - John Gregory has gone public on that.

"Benni has put his neck out and told the coach he didn`t want to play as he wanted to go to Villa. He may be paying the price for that, with the fans on his back and the club benching him all the time.

"Hopefully, him showing commitment to the deal will allow it to conclude."

Moore is also concerned that the 23-year-old, a club record signing, at £3.75 million, for Celta back in July 1999, will face similar treatment to that dished out on goalkeeper Richard Dutruel, when he agreed a Bosman transfer to Barcelona last season.

The French shot-stopper was often left on the sidelines, and Moore stated: "This is doing the player no good. He is very unsettled. What happened to Dutruel means there is a fear now Benni has gone public.

"He is hoping Villa will repay his faith in the transfer."

Moore is also convinced that any fears over obtaining a work permit are unfounded.

"The work permit would take some time, possibly even going through an appeal," he revealed. "But we are confident of getting one. His entire percentage of international appearances is skewed by his non-involvement in the 2000 African Cup of Nations.

"This was due to a self-imposed retirement from international football to concentrate on playing in Spain. I am confident the South African federation would verify that he would have been picked."

And, if Villa have any doubts that McCarthy may not be able to shine in The Premiership, then Moore feels the dramatic impact which Shaun Bartlett had against Manchester United on Saturday confirms the former Ajax attacker can follow his lead.

"It was good timing," he added. "He showed what South Africans can do!"

The ball is firmly in Celta`s court - if they accept an offer from Villa then the transfer will be finalised - otherwise McCarthy will be left hoping that a move materialises or he will be faced with a difficult future in Vigo.