Sunderland cast-offs Lilian Laslandes and Bernt Haas could yet have a future on Wearside.
Peter Reid's forgotten men are currently on long-term loans at Bastia and Basle respectively after failing to make their mark in the Premiership.
The 31-year-old French striker and the Swiss international defender have found new leases of life away from the Stadium of Light, resurrecting careers which were going nowhere after Reid placed them and six team-mates on the transfer list last summer.
But new boss Mick McCarthy is assessing the resources he has at his disposal for what seems certain to be at least one season in Division One, and is ruling nobody in or out.
"I can't comment either way on whether they have a future here," he said. "I haven't discussed the situation with their agents but they are two very talented internationals and I would be interested to hear what they have to say.
"But I suppose it would be very difficult for them to return to a club which has sent them out on loan for a season."
Laslandes arrived on Wearside in a £3.6 million move from Bordeaux in July 2001 but he never found his feet and was loaned out to German club Koln before heading back to France in the summer.
Haas (25), a £750,000 capture from Grashoppers Zurich, initially slotted in as first-choice right-back, but after a loss of form, found himself out of the picture.
PA