Phil Parkinson has not ruled out keeping Bailey Wright at Sunderland for the long-term, despite effectively ruling the on-loan Bristol City defender out for the season.
Wright joined Sunderland on loan from the Robins last month and has already made a big impression at the Stadium of Light, helping his new side keep clean sheets in each of the five games he has played in.
Yet he limped off during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Oxford United due to an ankle injury that is set to keep him out for eight to 12 weeks.
Wright is out of contract at the Robins in the summer, and his loan move to the Black Cats seemed to open the door to a potential permanent deal in the north east.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Sunderland boss Parkinson said Wright is pretty much out for the season, but that they will sit down to discuss his future.
He said: "He's damaged his ankle ligaments, so that's as good as saying he is out for the season.
"It's disappointing for him and for us. He made a good contribution, but equally, that's the pitfalls of football.
"You do get players injured and you've got to have the squad ready to cope with it. And I believe we've got that.
"We've made no decisions on his long-term future at the moment because there's a lot of this season left.
"He's going to stay with us for his rehab because he's moved up into the area, so we will have plenty of opportunities to chat with him."
Parkinson added: "Bailey is going to be around so we'll have plenty opportunities to have a chat with him in the coming months
"But at the moment we just want him to concentrate in the first few weeks, on his rehabbing to give himself every chance to make sure that ankle recovers as well as it can."
City boss Lee Johnson has already backed Wright to bounce back from the injury, and wished the Australian all the best.
He said: "There's not much you can say apart from 'I'm here for you mate'.
"It's football, it's the truth of football that players get injured and he'll be gutted and disappointed but as I say, it's a footballing fact and he's a strong character so I've got no doubt that he'll be fine."
