Charlton boss Lee Bowyer delivers his verdict on Sunderland loanee Aiden McGeady

McGeady was told that he was free to leave Sunderland in the January transfer window having fallen out of favour under Parkinson, but a permanent exit could not be struck.

Instead, the 33-year-old joined Charlton on loan – and is currently set to return to Sunderland ahead of the 2020-21 season, with a year still to run on his current deal on Wearside.

His future would appear to lie away from Sunderland but Phil Parkinson insists a decision on his future won’t be made for a number of weeks.

McGeady’s form and fitness has impressed Bowyer since the resumption of Championship action.

“He’s come back and he’s in better shape when we finished lockdown,” Bowyer told London News Online.

“We got him in January and physically he didn’t really look up to speed. He’s worked really hard and bought into what I want.

“He’s definitely a player who can make something happen out of nothing.

“In the couple of behind-closed-doors matches he was probably one of our brightest sparks that could make something happen in the final third.

“He’s worked hard, like everyone else has on the pitch. That’s not Aidy’s strength – his strength is giving him the ball in the final third. But he’s worked hard for the team and bought into it. People will think ‘how you got him to do that?’

“He has bought into it and worked hard, which is all we can ask.”

Parkinson, meanwhile, has already confirmed a decision on McGeady’s Sunderland future will not be made until the 2019-20 Championship season is concluded.

“There’s that possibility,” he said, when quizzed on whether the wideman could head out on loan again.

“We’re just seeing how he progresses at Charlton from now until the end of the season, and once Charlton’s season is finished we’ll sit down and have a chat with Aiden.”

Sunderland haven’t played since March due to the coronavirus pandemic with the first team currently on furlough leave. There is no date yet set for the start of the 2020-21 season.