Aston Villa have an option to sign Tom Cleverley from Manchester United on a permanent deal in January, Paul Lambert has said.
Cleverley, 25, joined Villa on a season-long loan at the end of the summer transfer window and it appears he has played his last game for United as he is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
United have an option to recall the player in January but Villa also have the option to seal a permanent deal. Lambert plans yo wait until the transfer window opens before making any decision.
"We have an option on Tom," the Villa boss said. "We have not gone into great detail but he has played well. He was the one lad who was busy on Saturday [in the 3-0 defeat at Everton]. He has so much to offer.
"He's a good guy, a good professional and does everything high tempo even when he trains. Whatever happens in January will happen. The option is there but we still have a couple of months to go.
"I just want him to play well here and enjoy it and that's what he is doing, which is half the battle. It's not been an easy start playing at a new club but come January we will see."
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.