Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers admits he may be unable to convince Middlesbrough to allow Marvin Emnes to return on loan.
The Dutchman has enjoyed a productive loan spell at the Liberty Stadium but new Boro boss Tony Mowbray is keen to take a closer look at the 22-year-old and Rodgers has admitted he is resigned to losing Emnes, who will return to Boro after Wednesday's tie with Bristol City.
"I've spoken to Tony Mowbray and Marvin will go back to Middlesbrough. He rightly wants to take a look at him," Rodgers told the club's official website.
"Marvin has done very well for us here. Tony and I will keep in conversation over the next couple of months to see where that goes.
"We wanted to keep him but Tony wants to take a look so the earliest will be January if we try to get him back."
However, the player himself has not ruled out a return to Swansea if he cannot force his way into Mowbray's plans at the Riverside.
He said: "They have a different manager now so I have to see what happens and if I get the chance to play games.
"If I don't I will try to go out on loan again, and coming back to Swansea would be nice."