Lee Johnson insists Chris Maguire remains part of his plans despite the midfielder's lack of gametime since he took charge at Sunderland.
Maguire's skilful touches and spectacular goals have made him a popular figure amongst Sunderland fans, but since Johnson arrived as head coach the 32-year-old has drifted to the fringes.
Maguire started Johnson's first game at the helm against Wigan Athletic at the beginning of December but has not started a league game since, although he has made numerous appearances from the bench, and has also started twice in the EFL Trophy.
His absence from the starting XI - and the fact he was not even on the bench for the home game against Gillingham last weekend - led to speculation that he might leave in the January transfer window but, when the deadline passed at the beginning of the week, he remained on Wearside.
And with Sunderland due to play two games a week for virtually the remainder of the campaign, Johnson says Maguire will have a part to play.
"Chris is in the squad and he is travelling [to MK Dons] tomorrow," said Johnson.
"He was in the squad at MK Dons in midweek as well but I couldn't get him on - I made five substitutions, and if I'd had a sixth then I would have brought Chris on.
"He's an important player, as everybody is.
"Now we've got this period where everyone knows that the uncertainty of the window has gone, this is the group now that has to fire us to success.
"Everybody, including young players and U23s, have to be switched on in case they are needed and wanted for first-team fixtures."
Maguire has featured in 20 of Sunderland's 24 league games so far this season, although only 11 of those appearances have been starts, and has scored three goals.
Last season he played in all but one of Sunderland's 36 League One games before the season was curtailed in March, starting 28 times and his 10 goals made him the club's joint-top scorer in the league.
He signed a one-year contract extension last summer which runs to the end of the current campaign.
