Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler says Evan Ferguson is not available for a loan deal but the striker needs to “accept” his role at the club.
The Republic of Ireland striker has started just one Premier League game this season and is behind Danny Welbeck, Georginio Rutter and Joao Pedro in Hurzeler's forward list.
The 20-year-old missed almost five months this year with an ankle injury and had to wait until mid-September to make his first appearance of the season.
The telegraph, external reported earlier this week that the Seagulls would be willing to allow him to leave the club on loan in the January transfer window, but Hurzeler denied this was the case.
“I don’t know where this information comes from because I said to Evan that I’m glad he’s here on the team,” Hurzeler said.
“I'm happy with how he's training, what condition he's in physically and mentally. Of course he is a young player and needs playing time.”
The German said it was normal for players to be disappointed when they didn't make the starting XI but it was important that Ferguson kept a good attitude.
“Accept your role and make sure you’re ready when you get the chance,” Hurzeler said.
“It is exactly what I ask of Evan and what I told him.
“I never said anything to him about a loan or anything like that.”
Ferguson signed a Contract extension for six years with the club in 2023.
He was named the club's Young Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season and scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United last season – only the fourth 18-year-old to do so in the Premier League.