Airdrie manager Ian Murray says Kerr McInroy has to keep regular football in mind as a decision over the Celtic player's future looms.
The midfielder impressed during a short-term loan spell at Murray's high-flying League One side in the first half of the season after an October arrival.
But he returned to parent club Celtic earlier this month and as of yet hasn't decided where he will go next.
McInroy is contracted with the Premiership giants until the end of the season but has admitted previously that his long-term future is not in green and white.
Murray would love to bring him back to Airdrie as they aim for promotion to the Championship and says the club have pushed hard for it.
Now a choice lies with McInroy: "We're still talking away. We want Kerr back but, without putting pressure on anybody, the ball is his court.
"It's as simple as that. I think it is vitally important that Kerr continues his momentum as a footballer and that's by playing every week.
"The quicker Kerr makes a decision for himself, the better."
Murray's men are working away on other transfer deals ahead of their Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Championship side Partick Thistle. They are on a run of five straight league wins.
But it's proven a difficult window for all League One clubs according to the Airdrie boss, who is yet to make any new signings outside of extending Scott McGill's loan from Hearts until the season's end.
He added: "It's been a very quiet League One transfer window. There's a few reasons for that. Players who have done well on loan have gone back to the parent clubs.
"Some players are cup-tied and then there's the Covid situation. That's three factors without mentioning finances, which for some players is too high.
"There are a lot of decisions to be made for parent clubs as it is mostly loan deals this window. But we are working very hard. We'd love to add to the squad.
"But the guys who are here just now deserve to be playing. We still want to enhance our squad."
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