Michael O'Neill believes Kyle Lafferty is approaching another crossroads in his career.
The Northern Ireland striker is coming to the end of a three-month spell with Sarpsborg 08 in the Norwegian Eliteserien.
Sarpsborg have three games remaining this season before Lafferty becomes a free agent once again.
"He is still in a difficult situation in that he has to decide what he will do next," O'Neill said.
"Kyle has three games left this season and is then a free agent, but he can't sign for another club until January 1.
"These games are important for him, and it is an important phase of his career as well."
Lafferty has been named in O'Neill's 25-man squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Holland and Germany.
The former Rangers man started in last month's game in Rotterdam, and O'Neill hopes Lafferty will be sharper and fitter for the final two games of the campaign.
"He needs to be playing, there's no doubt about that," the Northern Ireland boss said.
"We obviously get footage of the games. It isn't of a very high standard. The games are all played on artificial pitches as well.
"But every game Kyle plays he will get fitter, and it was good to see him score an important goal for Sarpsborg in the 89th minute to get them a point.
"The club have started to pull away from the relegation places which is a positive for them.
"Kyle gave us what we thought he would in the Rotterdam game. He gave us 65 minutes.
"Now we are in November, if we need him he will be a bit more game ready."
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
