Lee Johnson is keeping his fingers crossed that in-form frontman Nathan Broadhead stays at Sunderland for the remainder of the season following the behind-the-scenes changes at Everton.
Broadhead has been one of the Black Cats' standout performers over the last month, notching four goals in the last four League One games.
The 23-year-old joined Sunderland on loan in the summer on a season-long deal but, unlike the loan deals which saw goalkeeper Thorben Hoffmann join from Bayern Munich and forward Leon Dajaku arrive from Union Berlin, there is no clause to convert his stay into a permanent move.
But there is provision for Everton to recall him in the January transfer window, should they wish to - although there is no sign that they will do so, with Broadhead playing regularly on Wearside.
Everton's struggles in the Premier League have led to a backroom shakeup with director of football Marcel Brands leaving last week, followed by head of recruitment and development Gretar Steinsson, and manager of scouting Dan Purdy.
Those departures mean that Sunderland now need to make new contacts with the Merseyside club.
"No, there's no clause in there to turn it into a permanent transfer," said Johnson of Broadhead's loan deal.
"At the same time, we are very happy with Nathan and he is very happy here.
"Obviously, it's all-change at Everton at the moment and it's something we need to discuss in terms of introducing ourselves - and Nathan as well - to whoever they are coming in, because a lot of contacts that we had there have now left the football club.
"The important thing with Nathan is that he has this run of games, he's done extremely well, and I think he is thoroughly enjoying himself, so let's keep our fingers crossed with that one [that he will be allowed to stay]."
Broadhead had a stop-start beginning to his time at Sunderland, with a hamstring problem at the end of September ruling him out for a month.
But since returning at the beginning of last month, he has been in excellent form - both in front of goal, and in terms of his all-round game.
Johnson said: "We're trying to work with him every day, he's a good kid, an interesting character, but the main thing is that he is producing on a Saturday and a Tuesday.
"We really like him and we'd love to keep him around as long as possible."
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