Nemanja Matic has denied that he has gone on strike at Rennes in a bid to force through a move away from the club.
The midfielder joined the French club from Roma in the summer but has struggled to settle, with reports surfacing over the last few days that he has been trying to push for an immediate exit.
Rennes took the move to address a recent training absence from the Serbian earlier this week, branding it 'wholly incomprehensible for an experienced player under contract until 2025' and stating that they were waiting for an explanation.
Matic has now done just that, taking to social media to explain to his followers his reasoning, and that he plans to return to the club.
Posting on Instagram, the former Chelsea and Manchester United man said that he missed training because of a personal issue with his family, and that he wants to work with the club to move forward from the saga.
'Dear supporters, I want to end any speculation and say that last summer I was honoured by Stade Rennais' invitation to be part of an ambitious project that needed a player of my characteristics and experience,' he posted on his Instagram story,
'After six months at the club I can confirm our club has become an exceptional club for all players, especially young ones.
'Unfortunately, due to my mistake, I did not manage to adapt my private things to my professional one.
'I could not enrol my children into the international school they have been attending since the beginning of schooling.
'That is why I was away the last three days, to try and solve this big problem for me and my family and tomorrow I'm going back to Rennes where I will decide the next steps with the club together.'
Matic, now 35, joined Rennes in the summer on a free transfer from Roma, leaving behind Jose Mourinho with his last game being a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Europa League final.
He has since made 19 appearances for his new club, who sit 10th in the Ligue 1 table.
According to The Sun, Matic is considering retirement if he cannot secure a move away in this transfer window, and his ideal destination is said to be the Premier League.