Brighton and Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber says Evan Ferguson is "very unlikely" to be recalled from his loan at Serie A giants AS Roma this month.
The Republic of Ireland striker has endured a difficult spell since moving to the Italian capital on loan during the summer window.
The Meathman has scored four goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, including a brace against Celtic in the Europa League last month. That was part of a more fruitful December which saw the 21-year-old also find the net against Genoa four days after Christmas in a man of the match display.
Amid speculation over his future and injuries to other forwards at his parents club, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler had suggested earlier in December that recalling Ferguson from his loan could be "an option".
However, during a wide-ranging interview on the club website, the Seagulls' chief executive and deputy chair Barber said that was not likely to be a consideration for Brighton unless Roma pushed for his return.
"It's very unlikely, I would say," he said.
"We don’t have that option, so if he were to comeback it would be because the club that has him at the moment doesn’t need him in the second half of the season.
"At the moment it seems very unlikely – he’s playing well and scoring goals, it’s not really one that is in our gift."
