Hull City boss Steve Bruce says Sone Aluko is a big part of their future.
The Nigeria midfielder has questioned his position at the club.
Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail: "I have to try and tell him he's not quite there. I try to be honest with all of them, but I think most people would say the same thing.
"Sone is a big part of what we're doing here, but I've not seen the real him until he came off the bench last weekend. He looked to have all his movement back and made a great impact.
"In my eyes Sone Aluko is a £6m player. Just because we paid that for Jelavic and Long it doesn't mean he's out on his ear. We just need him to get fit and be Sone Aluko again."
