REGIS Le Bris insists Dan Neil remains an important member of his Sunderland squad despite the increasing likelihood that the midfielder leaves his hometown club.
What's not clear at this stage is whether Neil will move this month or in the summer when his contract expires.
But he's been a fringe figure so far this season and the fact he didn't get an opportunity during the African Cup of Nations, when Sunderland were without a number of key players, was the strongest indication yet that his days at the Stadium of Light are now numbered.
Neil was an unused substitute in FA Cup third round victory at Everton last weekend and after the game stood alone on the pitch while his teammates celebrated in front of the stands.
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Despite his lack of football and contract situation, Le Bris refused to confirm that Neil is likely to now move on. West Ham, Rangers, Coventry are all said to be interested, with clubs in Germany also monitoring the midfielder's situation.
Le Bris said: "Same statement, he's still connected with the club.
"He's in a specific part of his career, that's true. But at the same time, you have to make a choice. It's not only your choice, because it's connected with another project.
"At the moment, he's still in Sunderland. It's a tough position because we want to respect everyone. He's still important in the group.
"His motivation now is connected with the current situation but the future as well. You don't know what to expect from he market so it's tough to say."
Neil led Sunderland to promotion as captain last season but has played just 13 minutes of football in the Premier League this term.
Further pressed on the midfielder's contract situation and future, Le Bris said: "For me, I speak about the football perspective, and this is my main focus.
"After that, the contracts, the contract situation, the discussion, the conversation they had with Kristjaan or Kyril, I'm not involved in those conversations.
"So for me, Dan is still important in the squad. Probably it's an important part of his journey now, because you know that when you have only six months left, the decision is really close, and I really appreciate the way we work together, so we'll see now if he will leave, or if he will stay for the next five months.
"The competition is so high, and we have so many good players in the squad now, and you have to accept this competition, but he never gave up, so I think it's very important. Now we'll see."
While Neil has spent the season on the fringes, Dennis Cirkin - who is also approaching the end of his contract - has impressed in recent weeks after returning from injury and getting some opportunities in the absence of Reinildo, who was away at the African Cup of Nations.
But Le Bris was also non-committal when asked about Cirkin's contract situation.
He said: "Everyone has his own journey, and Dennis is different, Dan is different, Luke [O'Nien] is different, but I appreciate the way they are still connected with the squad, we support them, we challenge them, and the feedback is really positive, even with Dan.
"So I have no problems with any players in the dressing room, and for Dennis, for example, I'm really pleased because he struggled at the beginning, we supported him, and now he's at a really good level, and he's a really good backup for Rei.
"Rei is a really good player, a good leader, it's tough to say Dennis will step up now, in front of Rei, but we don't know what will happen in the future."
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