Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson has welcomed want-away winger David Bellion back into the fold for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Watford at the Stadium of Light.
The 20-year-old became involved in a bitter transfer wrangle with Manchester United last month - and even went AWOL from the Lilleshall rehabilitation centre as his immediate future was thrown into disarray.
Bellion told Wilkinson he was not mentally equipped to cope with the demands of a relegation battle and appeared to have played his last game for the Black Cats, destined to move when his contract expires at the end of the season.
But a change of heart has led to Bellion being drafted into the squad after he scored the only goal of the game in the reserves' derby win over Newcastle on Monday night, though he may have to be content with a place on the substitute bench against the Hornets.
"David has now come to terms with the situation," said Wilkinson.
"He has told me that he wants to play for Sunderland and help Sunderland in its current position.
"I have no reason now to doubt that and he will be in the squad for Saturday.
"He is a young boy, we must not forget that, with a young boy's dream, aspirations and romance and maybe a young boy's naivety - and we have to understand that."
Sunderland are boosted by the return from long-term injuries of Jason McAteer, Matthew Piper and Thomas Butler - but central-defender Emerson Thome has been ruled out for three weeks with knee medial ligament damage.
McAteer returned to action earlier in the week after being out for 16 weeks with hernia problems and Piper has not been in the starting line-up since Wilkinson's first game in charge last October.
"It's looking a lot healthier," he said.
"Jason McAteer getting back to fitness is most welcome, he is our most experienced player."