Carlos Carvalhal has insisted that Renato Sanches could still play a part in Swansea City's relegation scrap, despite being sent back to parent club Bayern Munich.
The Portugal international has made just 12 Premier League appearances for the Swans since arriving on a season-long loan last August.
Sanches has not featured at all since January due to a hamstring problem and is currently receiving treatment at Bayern, leading to suggestions that the plug would be pulled on his loan stint.
Carvalhal has left the door ajar for the 20-year-old to return before the campaign ends, though, telling reporters at his weekly press conference: "We never know. If one player is out and recovers, he might just score the last goal in the last minute of the season.
"He has been in Munich the last two weeks and now we are waiting. He had a scan last Tuesday, the scan was okay. I've talked with him, he is progressing very well, and now we are waiting for him. I don't know if it will be this week or next week, it depends on Bayern Munich.
"We have to get him fit as soon as possible. After that, let's see if he can play and help the team or not because we do not a have lot numbers in the squad. We need all of the players and I hope he will recover soon, I believe he will recover. If he can help the team depends him and depends on the team."
Swansea head to Manchester United this weekend aiming to push clear of the relegation zone, with a three-point gap on Southampton in 18th place.
Daniel Lewis
