Eli Manning has said that he hopes Victor Cruz will be back with the New York Giants in time for the team's practice session later this month.
The wide receiver is reportedly delaying signing a new deal with the Giants in hope of securing a $10m (£6.5m) salary.
The team's quarterback told the New York Daily News: "We get into some real practices next week, so hopefully as we get kind of into those live, going-against-a-defense practices, he will get back in so we can get back to work.
"I know each year you're gonna need new guys to step up. You're gonna lose some guys, something happens, you always want to be prepared."
Earlier this year, Manning said that he would consider taking a pay-cut in order to keep Cruz at the Giants.
