Nottingham Forest returned to training this week, for the first time since March - and with Sabri Lamouchi also back at the club, attention will no doubt soon turn to the head coach's contract situation.
The Frenchman has proved a big hit since being appointed at the City Ground last June, when he penned a one-year deal.
He arrived as a relative unknown on these shores, but has quickly made a name for himself and earned the affections of the Reds faithful.
However, with time running out on that contract, here’s what we know so far about the possibility of Lamouchi extending his stay on Trentside.
What’s the state of play?
Lamouchi’s current deal is due to run out at the end of next month, after a 12-month contract was agreed when he replaced Martin O’Neill at the helm on June 28 last year.
However, last month talks began over fresh terms for the 48-year-old after he had impressed in a short space of time during his first stint in English football.
Lamouchi had led Forest to fifth in the Championship before the campaign was brought to a halt due to the coronavirus crisis, and the break in play seems a sensible time to have started discussions.
The clock may be ticking, but there is still plenty of time to get something sorted.
But isn’t the season likely to still be ongoing when his deal runs out?
Lamouchi has said in the past he is happy with the Reds, so the hope remains that a positive conclusion will be reached at some point.
But even if there is no announcement in the near future, it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.
There is still uncertainty about the rest of the season amid the Covid-19 pandemic, although it is hoped the campaign will restart next month.
With Forest having been given the green light to return to the Nigel Doughty Academy this week - and with Lamouchi back, along with his players - it may well be that the focus at the minute is on a potential resumption, rather than the manager’s contract. At least initially.
Should the Championship get back up and running, matches will certainly take place after the date Lamouchi’s contract is officially due to expire.
The head coach, though, will definitely stay on until the end of the 2019/20 term, whenever that may be - even without putting pen to paper on a new deal.
There is also a clause in his current contract which would automatically trigger an extension should the Reds get promoted.
What has Lamouchi said about staying on?
Before games were suspended, the manager had been concentrating on a promotion push, saying his own situation was secondary to that.
He made it clear, though, that he would be keen to remain at the City Ground.
Back in February, he said: “I am happy here.
“From the beginning I was so surprised by the warm welcome from the fans. And every day, every week, every month, I am feeling at home here.
“My desire is to stay here for a long time. I can’t say more than that.
“I have this responsibility, but for me to focus on the right things is very important.
“If I think only about my contract, it is a big mistake.
“My contract is not so important. Myself, I am not so important.
“But what we want to realise, all together, is so important because we will keep that for the rest of our lives.
“My contract is only for me. But to realise this (promotion) all together, now, it is totally different - especially here, at this club, an amazing club with fantastic fans.
“They have been waiting for a long, long time.”
