Phil Parkinson expects Aiden McGeady will leave Sunderland before Friday's deadline.
The Sunderland boss told McGeady that he was surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light early last month, giving the Irish international time to find a new club.
However, as the window enters its final week, McGeady remains a Sunderland player - albeit, ostracised from the first team and training with the under-23s.
But Parkinson told Sky Sports' EFL Matters Podcast that he expects the forward to move on this week.
He said: "With Aiden, I just wanted to give him and his agent plenty of time to find a move in the January window.
"I think there will be people looking to take Aiden before the window closes, and then he's got to then pick the right challenge that suits him as well."
Elsewhere, Parkinson also answered a question on the potential sale of the club, with chairman Stewart Donald actively looking to sell the Wearside club.
Parkinson updated: "The chairman keeps me informed on everything, which is great.
"But as I know from my experience with takeovers at other clubs, these things can take a long time.
"There's lots of people who show interest in football clubs, but showing they've got the actual money to get the deal over the line is difficult.
"We've just got to concentrate on what we've got to do [on the pitch], and the owner is being very supportive."
