Sunderland manager Jack Ross is under no pressure to force out defender Bryan Oviedo, the Chronicle Live is reporting.
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The Costa Rica international is one of the biggest earners remaining at the Stadium of Light after the club’s calamitous double relegation.
Oviedo has admitted that he wants to leave the League One side following their slump into the third tier.
Should a move not materialise, he is to be professional and continue to play for Sunderland should he be selected.
This stance was evident when he came on in their season opener against Charlton last Saturday and set up the winning goal in added time in what was an impressive display.
Oviedo’s wages are a burden on the Black Cats, and a move away would be beneficial for the club.
Ross, however, is under no pressure to offload the left-back or leave him out of the team for financial reasons.
Sunderland’s manager, speaking to Chronicle Live said: “I don’t know if we can afford to keep him.
“Certainly at the moment I an not under any duress to not consider any players for my squad for those reasons. In that sense, I just get on with it.
“There has never been any communication to me saying don’t consider Bryan or Lee because of their contractual situations. I am just making the best use of what I have got.”
The Verdict
For the time being this is good news that Bryan Oviedo can continue to feature for Sunderland.
He was impressive during his cameo last weekend and is arguably the best left-back in that division.
Wages are an issue, and with the transfer deadline passing for Premier League sides, a move back to the top-flight would be impossible at this time.
The window, however, is still open in the rest of Europe’s top leagues so a move to the continent could be on the cards.
But at present, the Costa Rica international is keeping his head down and working hard for Sunderland despite wanting to leave.
Professionalism in its purest form, and you would imagine should he remain at the Stadium of Light, he will have a big part to play in Sunderland’s season.