Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen has rubbished reports of an imminent exit for Bryan Ruiz by claiming that he remains part of his plans.
The Costa Rican forward has managed just three minutes of first team football since Meulensteen succeeded Martin Jol at the Cottagers' helm.
It has been suggested that he could be moved on in January, especially as he has the 2014 World Cup to think about.
Ruiz has been quoted as saying that he would consider offers from Belgium or Holland if they are tabled in the New Year.
Meulensteen, though, expects the former FC Twente forward to continue pushing for a starting berth in London for the remainder of the campaign.
He said in the Fulham Chronicle: "Sometimes players go through bad patches and it does not go very well for them. That was the case a little bit with Bryan.
"It is confidence that drives players on and sometimes you need to protect them a little bit.
"Bryan is another very creative, attacking player. He is a game-changer. When he came on against Spurs he could have earned a point and that is what you want to see.
"There are so many games to come and all the players will have a role to play."
Meulensteen also believes that Ruiz is capable of causing England plenty of problems during the group stage of next summer's global showpiece in Brazil.
He added: "I do not know the strength of Costa Rica, but I can see why Bryan is in that team because he is an excellent player.
"Players with that sort of quality, who can create space for themselves out of nothing, is someone England need to be aware of."