Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has told Ryan Babel he has until January to resurrect his career at the club.
The Reds boss admitted the Holland international came close to leaving the Merseysiders on transfer deadline day but an adequate replacement - rumoured to be West Ham's Carlton Cole - could not be found in time.
Babel has since come out and spoken of his desire to kick-start his career after holding talks with the Liverpool manager.
And Hodgson has confirmed he will give the 23-year-old forward four months to finally prove his worth at Anfield, or face the prospect of being moved on in next transfer window.
"The thing about Ryan is that for three years here he has not had much of a look-in," said the Reds boss, who will give Babel a chance to deputise for Fernando Torres in his preferred central striking position.
"He was brought into the club with a lot of pomp and ceremony after winning the European Under-21 championships.
"I saw him play several times because I was working for Uefa at those championships and he was the player who was being chased by clubs all over Europe at that time.
Unfulfilled potential
"Since coming here he has not fulfilled that potential, hasn't had the chance to.
"So when there were offers for him (in August) we were prepared to allow him to go down and speak to those clubs.
"But we made it perfectly clear that other things would have to slot into place before we were able to allow him to go.
"The other things we had in mind did not slot into place and now it is up to him to convince me.
"No doubt if, by January, he hasn't succeeded in convincing me that he is the player we need then he will have to accept we will be in the transfer market for a centre-forward once again.
"But at least he has this period of time. He is working very hard, he is very determined to take this chance he has got so that last-minute transfer thing was perhaps something we will all be glad did not come about.
"In the meantime we will have the chance to do our thorough scouting so if money was available (in January) we would be able to look into the situation again."
Hodgson, linked with the England manager's job after the World Cup before he took over at Anfield, refused to answer questions on who should be Fabio Capello's successor.
"My job is at Liverpool and I'm very happy with my job," said Hodgson.
"I would like to make it very clear I have no intention of making any comments on the England national team other than to congratulate them on their last two results.
"I am looking forward to my job here."
The Reds boss admitted the Holland international came close to leaving the Merseysiders on transfer deadline day but an adequate replacement - rumoured to be West Ham's Carlton Cole - could not be found in time.
Babel has since come out and spoken of his desire to kick-start his career after holding talks with the Liverpool manager.
And Hodgson has confirmed he will give the 23-year-old forward four months to finally prove his worth at Anfield, or face the prospect of being moved on in next transfer window.
"The thing about Ryan is that for three years here he has not had much of a look-in," said the Reds boss, who will give Babel a chance to deputise for Fernando Torres in his preferred central striking position.
"He was brought into the club with a lot of pomp and ceremony after winning the European Under-21 championships.
"I saw him play several times because I was working for Uefa at those championships and he was the player who was being chased by clubs all over Europe at that time.
Unfulfilled potential
"Since coming here he has not fulfilled that potential, hasn't had the chance to.
"So when there were offers for him (in August) we were prepared to allow him to go down and speak to those clubs.
"But we made it perfectly clear that other things would have to slot into place before we were able to allow him to go.
"The other things we had in mind did not slot into place and now it is up to him to convince me.
"No doubt if, by January, he hasn't succeeded in convincing me that he is the player we need then he will have to accept we will be in the transfer market for a centre-forward once again.
"But at least he has this period of time. He is working very hard, he is very determined to take this chance he has got so that last-minute transfer thing was perhaps something we will all be glad did not come about.
"In the meantime we will have the chance to do our thorough scouting so if money was available (in January) we would be able to look into the situation again."
Hodgson, linked with the England manager's job after the World Cup before he took over at Anfield, refused to answer questions on who should be Fabio Capello's successor.
"My job is at Liverpool and I'm very happy with my job," said Hodgson.
"I would like to make it very clear I have no intention of making any comments on the England national team other than to congratulate them on their last two results.
"I am looking forward to my job here."
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