Denver Hume has emerged as a transfer target for Sunderland's League One rivals Portsmouth - with Lee Johnson choosing his words carefully when discussing the academy product's future.
Pompey boss Danny Cowley is understood to be weighing up a move for Hume, who has found himself shunted down the pecking order on Wearside this season following the arrivals of Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins this term.
Hume was out of contract last summer and stalled on signing a new deal, but eventually signed up for another two years in September by which time Cirkin and Huggins had joined the Black Cats.
And more recently, when Cirkin and Huggins have been absent through injury, Lynden Gooch has played at left-back with Hume left on the bench.
Hume had hamstring trouble coming into the new season, and picked up an ankle injury in October, but since returning to full fitness he has struggled for game time with only four substitute outings to his name in the league so far.
Johnson admits Hume has been disappointed at his lack of action, but says the 25-year-old is ready and waiting for his chance.
"I can't say much on that [the link with Portsmouth], if I'm honest, because Denver is in a situation where he is under contract with us," said Johnson, whose side will face Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
"Denver would be disappointed in recent weeks because I know he is keen to play every minute of every game, but that's what you want [from a player].
"Obviously, we had the whole saga over the summer with the contract and that was put to bed, and I have been happy with Denver.
"There have been issues whether it has been fitness, form, Covid, but at the same time as we speak now Denver is in a really good place and he's ready to jump in at the drop of a hat."
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said recently that the club would not have to sell any of their first-teamers in the January transfer window and, while that does not mean there will be no outgoings, Johnson adds that any departures will only happen on Sunderland's terms.
"I think you'd consider it [an offer] for anybody if they weren't happy," said Johnson.
"But it can't be to the detriment of the first team, and Sunderland's challenge to go and get promoted.
"When you sign a contract, you sign a contract - whether it's my contract, your contract, whatever.
"Sometimes in football people forget about those contracts - I don't mean Denver here, I'm talking generally.
"For me a contract is an important thing and you should stand up to it, or somebody comes in and meets the terms of that contract.
"I think that's what Kristjaan means more than anything - any outgoing deals done will be done on our terms.
"We've got these players and they are under contract, there are no financial restraints and if we accept an offer it is because we believe we can use that money either within the club or in other areas of the pitch."
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