Asamoah Gyan has ruled out a move back to Sunderland in January but admits he is looking forward to working with new Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill.
Gyan was a surprise departure from the Stadium of Light, joining the United Arab Emirates side Al Ain in a mammoth one-year loan deal worth ?6million in September.
Sunderland's woeful record in front of goal this season hastened the departure of Steve Bruce, with incoming boss O'Neill considering recalling the Senegal international.
But Gyan - who has scored five goals in five league appearances following his move - has ruled out a return to Wearside, but has spoken of his high regard for the club's Northern Irish boss.
Gyan told Goal.com: 'For now I can?t really say anything about Sunderland. I am on loan for a year so we will have to see what happens at the end of the season.'
Will I come back to Sunderland at the end of this season? For now I don't want to talk about my situation because I am currently on loan and I am doing well. So let?s see where my future lies after my loan deal.'
'I miss the Premier League because it is the best league in the world so I have a lot of respect for it. I am not the only player that has left the Premier League but I do miss the Premier League and watch it and the Champions League on television when I can.
'It is a great league and who knows what will happen in the future. But what I have to say is that I am enjoying my football at the moment. I don?t know, let?s see what happens at the end of my current deal.
'He continued: 'I know all about Martin O?Neill. I remember him from when he was at Aston Villa and they did very well when he was there,' Gyan said. 'He is a good manager and everyone speaks well about him.
'From what I have seen he is good manager and I sure that he will help Sunderland climb the table. I wish him well and I think that everything will be fine.
'Steve Bruce brought me to Sunderland and the club paid ?13m for me and everything was all right. I felt sad that he lost his job but that is part of the job for every manager. And life goes on.
'Managers move around between clubs all the time. I hope he gets a club to manage and I wish him well in whatever he does. He is a good man and a good manager and I am sure we will meet up again one day.'
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail