Sunderland are weighing up their next move over Papy Djilobodji after the previously AWOL defender finally returned to training on Wednesday.
Djilobodji and team-mate Didier Ndong both failed to turn up to pre-season training following the club's relegation to League One.
Furious Sunderland chiefs refused to pay Djilobodji, who earns a weekly salary of around £33,000, and Ndong during their absence and are now contemplating their next step after the centre-back returned to the club.
Djilobodji took part in training at Sunderland's Academy of Light base with the rest of his team-mates ahead of Saturday's home clash with Fleetwood Town.
An £8m signing from Chelsea, the 29-year-old spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Dijon, where he made 30 appearances.
But after failing secure a permanent transfer away from Wearside this summer, Djilobodji had been expected to fight for a place in new manager Jack Ross' squad.
In his absence, Sunderland have made a strong start to the campaign, winning four and drawing two of their first six games.
They play Fleetwood on Saturday at home before a trip to Burton Albion the following weekend.