Chris Coleman says Sunderland are powerless to prevent Bournemouth recalling top goalscorer Lewis Grabban in January - but he is desperately hoping for no contact from the Premier League club.
The Cherries inserted a clause in the striker's season-long loan deal which allows them to cut short his stay at the Stadium of Light.
Were Bournemouth to receive a transfer offer for Grabban in the new year then they could look to sell, robbing new Black Cats boss Coleman of a player who has scored 10 times this season.
'There is nothing we could do about that,' said Coleman, who has limited funds to spend in January.