Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is determined to find the "right solution" for Evan Ferguson amid reports the striker could leave on loan during the January transfer window.
Republic of Ireland international Ferguson has been restricted to just two Premier League starts for the Seagulls this season.
The 20-year-old, who missed Friday evening's 0-0 draw with Brentford due to an ankle issue, has made a further 10 substitute appearances in the top flight, scoring once.
Hurzeler insists he is "really happy" to have Ferguson at the Amex Stadium but suggested the player's future is being discussed.
"At first, I think he needs to get back on the pitch," Hurzeler said of Ferguson ahead of Monday's trip to Aston Villa.
"The rumours, I won't discuss them in public.
"I think it's very important the player knows our idea, that we know the idea from the player and then it's most important to be honest with each other, to find the right solution for the club and in the end also for the player.
"I'm really happy that Evan is in our squad and I'm hoping that he will be back on the pitch as soon as possible."
In Ferguson's absence, Brighton's winless run was stretched to six league matches by a frustrating stalemate against the Bees.
Five of those results have come against teams in the bottom half of the division, with the Seagulls dropping from second spot to mid-table amid the poor run.
Hurzeler, who has masterminded wins over Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City since succeeding Roberto De Zerbi in the summer, has mixed feelings about his first half a season in English football.
"When we look at the games we had, for sure we should be disappointed because we have other ambitions," said the 31-year-old German.
"We want to finish the games with different results.
"But in the end we know that it will be a process, we had a lot of changes in the summer. We have a really, really young squad and therefore we have to give them time.
"We know that a process is not always linear. You will do a process in waves and then you have to work hard for it and that's why there are pros and cons where you can say there was a good half-season or a bad half-season.
"We just try to focus on the process, try to improve, try to be more consistent in the way we get results and then I'm quite positive we will play a good second half of the season."
Unai Emery's Villa sit only two points above Brighton as they balance domestic duties with their Champions League exploits.
"They had also a tough period, now they are getting more and more back to shape," Hurzeler said of Villa.
"They had some great games already in the Champions League, they have a clear style of play.
"Emery has a big impact on Aston Villa's philosophy, they have great individual players.
"I heard a lot about the atmosphere there so it will be a great opportunity for us to improve and to show our identity."
