Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted the future of midfielder Cedric van der Gun could lay elsewhere.The Dutchman, 31, scored in the Swans 4-0 FA Cup win over Colchester United on Saturday in what was only his 11th appearance of the season.
"It's been difficult for Cedric, there's no getting away from that," said Rodgers.
"But he's trained and worked exceptionally hard every day and his professionalism is very, very good."
Free agent Van der Gun was signed by Rodgers' predecessor Paulo Sousa in September 2009 after he was released by FC Utrecht.
He went on to appear 26 times under Sousa, scoring twice, but in his 11 appearances under Rodgers this season he has found the net four times, although he has only started one Championship game.
Rodgers has openly admitted that he wants to trim his squad and Van der Gun could be one of those to make their Liberty Stadium exit, possibly on loan.
"I can't say never because he's a player that when you get to that age and you're in the latter part of your career you want to play," said Rodgers.
"He's terrific every day in training but I went with a group that's been near enough the same throughout the season.
"But over the Christmas period, I gave players the chance that with all due respect didn't take the chance. I'm not egotistical enough to put players out and keep them out.
"Cedric's been doing really well, it's just unfortunate for him that he's been unable to get a chance but I felt it [Colchester game] was an opportunity for him.
"You saw when he came in he played very, very well and scored an excellent goal, so he's a player who's an important part of our group.
"He's obviously at the stage where he wants to play a lot more regularly, but I'm sure if he's around and involved like Saturday then he'll want to be here."
Rodgers added: "I just have to respect that if he's not in the group then obviously I will need to look at not only the club but in relation to himself as well.
"It's something that's ongoing. He came in on Saturday and he produced a performance.
"I'm looking at players who are hungry, who have the courage to get on the ball and play for the team and he did all of that."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport