Aiden McGeady is set for a January exit from Sunderland after a reported training ground incident.
The 33-year-old, who is entering the final six months of his contract at the Stadium of Light, has been banished from the Black Cats' squad for this weekend's crucial League One clash with Blackpool.
And boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed McGeady will be leaving the club in the new year.
That is certain to alert Scottish clubs to the former Celtic winger although his reported £31,000-a-week salary would be an obvious major stumbling block.
Details of the nature of the incident at the Academy of Light have yet to emerge but Parkinson - asked if McGeady would be involved on Saturday - said: "No."
He continued: "We've spoken to Aiden about January.
"It's not one particular incident. I wanted to tell Aiden and his agent so we can plan for January as well.
"It is a big decision but I'm confident it's the right decision for the club. Conversations between managers and players have to stay private.
"We want to stay fair to Aiden and give him that time.
"I feel the best way forward is to find a solution and move forward in January with the players who will be here."
Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross - now manager at Hibs - could be among those tempted by the Ireland international's availablity.
But whether McGeady would be willing to take a monster pay cut to return home to Scotland would be key to any deal.
The 93-times capped player left Celtic for Spartak Moscow nine years ago in a deal worth over £9million.
He returned to the UK with Everton in 2010 and has also had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Preston before moving to Sunderland in the summer of 2017.
