Nigel Pearson insists Kasey Palmer still has an opportunity to win his place back in the Bristol City side with the midfielder having been left out of the Robins last five squads.
Palmer hasn't exactly been a regular for City this campaign but was a consistent presence in the matchday 18, named in the starting XI or on the bench on 14 of a possible 16 occasions until the November international break.
Since then, however, the 24-year-old has been consistently left out, effectively losing his place to 18-year-old Ayman Benarous.
With one of his former clubs Huddersfield Town the visitors to Ashton Gate on Saturday, that scenario is likely to continue, but Pearson maintains the olive branch remains extended providing Palmer can play his way back into contention at training.
"A player for our football club who's currently training with us, that's where we are," Pearson said, when asked what Palmer's role is. "If he does enough, he might be included. So that doesn't change.
"To be absolutely honest with you, discussing individuals like that, he's not been included because other players have done more. Likewise, if he plays himself back into contention then so be it, fine."
Despite his strong words in November about individuals not being "onside", it's never been clear if Pearson was discussing specific individuals or merely delivering a collective warning to the squad around attitude in the wake of the 3-2 defeat at Coventry, which Palmer was an unused substitute.
There has, however, been a notable change in tack from the manager towards the former Chelsea trainee in recent weeks and the above answer was a significant departure from when he's previously spoken about the playmaker.
Pearson had maintained that Palmer is working hard, understanding what's required of him and is a "great lad" but his response this week was decidedly more blunt and less emotive.
It cannot be ignored that with January on the horizon, Palmer's apparent status on the periphery of the squad and City likely needing to trade to bring in reinforcements makes him a candidate to be moved on, should a buyer be found.
At the same time, the small squad of players Pearson is operating with, and Palmer's own talents in the light of City's creativity issues, make him an obvious possible solution.
The City manager has frequently bemoaned the lack of chances being created for his strikers from midfield and although defensive concerns may remain, Palmer is one of the few individuals in the current group of players capable of providing such.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
