Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful that the club can agree a deal to extend Frank Lampard's loan spell from New York City FC.
The 36-year-old joined the Citizens on an initial six-month deal from the newly-formed MLS franchise, and the former England international has proved an astute signing with a series of impressive performances for the club.
Pellegrini has admitted that he would like to extend Lampard's stay beyond the end of the month, but has conceded that a deal could be hard to complete, considering all the parties involved.
He told Sky Sports News: "Before December finishes we will have a decision but, as I repeat, I think Frank is a very important player for us and I hope we will not have any problems for him to stay here.
"But I cannot say just from one side what will happen with him. He has a loan just until the end of December and there is another club involved. The MLS is involved also. There are a lot of parties with an arrangement. It's not just depending on one opinion.
"But I hope we can have a decision as soon as possible because it's important for us and the players. He couldn't start in the US until January or February, so prefers to stay here until December. If he can finish the year here, better - but I think that the MLS is a very important league also and I think that Frank Lampard will be very happy in the United States."
Lampard has scored five goals in 13 appearances for City in all competitions this season.
