Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish insists Jonny Williams still has a future at Selhurst Park.
The Welshman joined Sunderland on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.
Parish said: "We want to get him fit and we know he can do a really good job. I know the owner up there really well and I wouldn't send him anybody other than someone that I felt could really help them and I think Jonny really can.
"Jonny's a great player, he just needs an injury-free season and he gets his strength back and he can get in our team. He's been out for a while, he just needs games."