Aston Villa No2 Gary McAllister insists Michael Bradley can still earn a permanent deal.
The USA midfielder is on-loan from Borussia Monchengladbach.
"With four games to go it is something that Gerard and I will be speaking about because there are two or three guys in the same boat as Michael," said Villa's assistant manager in the Birmingham Mail.
"It's true that it has been hard to play him in the situation we have been in at a time when we have had senior experienced players available.
"That is purely all that has held him back, nothing else, because his attitude has been top drawer.
"He is a fantastic professional for such a young guy - he is captain of his country, don't forget, and he is a top player.
"He has done enough on the training ground to suggest there might be something come the end of the season because he is an honest, hard-working guy as well as a good player."
