QPR boss Neil Warnock is unsure whether Kieron Dyer's latest injury setback will prevent him from having an impact in the Barclays Premier League again.
Dyer underwent foot surgery yesterday to repair ligament damage sustained during a reserve match last week and has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
The 32-year-old former England midfielder has not played a competitive game for Rangers since the opening day of the season.
Dyer's career has been hampered by a succession of serious injuries but while Warnock insists his future is in doubt, he refuses to bet against a successful comeback.
"I don't honestly know now (if he can still make an impact at this level)," he said.
"I honestly don't know that. But if anyone can he can, because he's so determined.
"I thought that he might consider his future, but having spoken to him he will try to show me in pre-season that he warrants a contract.
"He's not money-motivated. It's not as if we have to pay him a fortune. The lad wants to play football, which is like a breath of fresh air.
"I would not write him off, but it must be soul-destroying to go through what he has over the past few years.
"It's a bitter blow. The day it happened I went into the dressing room and he was distraught.
"We have to look after him and give him an opportunity - he deserves that."
QPR will be looking to climb into the top half of the Premier League when they host Sunderland at Loftus Road.
"You're looking over your shoulders, but a win takes you into the top half - it's that close," said Warnock.
"We've played some tough games of late so we must scrap for points now."
Warnock must decide whether to replace goalkeeper Radek Cerny with fit-again Paddy Kenny.
Anton Ferdinand is a doubt because of a hamstring injury, as is Danny Gabbidon who has a gashed leg.
Jay Bothroyd is struggling with a knee problem while Kieron Dyer is out for the season after undergoing foot surgery.
Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has urged his marksmen to take on the responsibility of firing the club out of trouble.
The Black Cats head for QPR having won only three of their 16 Barclays Premier League games to date and scored just 18 goals in the process.
The fact that they have conceded only 19 and have the best goal difference of the bottom nine clubs in the table is a consolation, but O'Neill admits the lack of firepower is piling the pressure on his defenders, with loan signing Nicklas Bendtner having not found the net in six games.
O'Neill said: "It would be fantastic if we possessed somebody who could score 20 goals a season, that would be terrific.
"If it doesn't happen, then you have really got to share them around, and you have got to get players into the penalty area to score, generally speaking.
"Of course, we have one or two players who can score goals from outside the box, but eventually when the ball goes in, you have to have people in, and that's what we will be trying to encourage, players getting into the penalty area to try to score.
"In the penalty area, you have got to be a bit selfish if there's a shot on. Don't try something ridiculous, just throwing a leg at it or something like that, but you have got to take a bit of responsibility."
Sunderland's last victory, a 2-1 home success over Blackburn in O'Neill's first game as manager, came courtesy of stunning long-range strikes from David Vaughan and Sebastian Larsson.
However, that was one of only five occasions this season on which they have scored more than once in a game.
And O'Neill knows that must improve if Sunderland are to drag themselves away from the 16th position they currently occupy, just a point clear of the drop zone.
He said: "Anyone can see we have had a problem scoring goals. We have had a problem in actually getting in front in matches and actually winning games, that's it.
"You can't keep relying on us keeping teams out, because whoever you are playing there will be chances at one end of the field.
"We are where we are in the league and you would say we don't score enough goals, that's pretty plain."
Striker Connor Wickham is a doubt with a knee problem, but O'Neill is hopeful that defenders Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown will shake off knocks.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG