Sunderland keeper Thomas Myhre will this week meet with Mick McCarthy in a bid to determine whether he has got a part to play in the club's top-flight future.
Although the Black Cats boss has acted quickly in informing Jeff Whitley, Marcus Stewart and Michael Ingham that their Stadium of Light contracts will not be renewed this summer, no decision has yet been made about the Scandinavian 'keeper.
Myhre was an important figure in the club's promotion to the Premiership and, having kept 12 clean sheets in 31 league appearances, has proved his credentials following two years which were ravaged by injuries.
But with Mart Poom determined to re-establish himself as Wearside's number one next season, and Ben Alnwick having made an impressive start to his senior career, it is far from certain that Myhre will remain.
"The goalkeeping position is one of the things I need to discuss with the chairman," explained McCarthy, who held the first of several scheduled meetings with Bob Murray yesterday.
"I need to sit down and talk to Thomas and see what his thoughts are on the matter. We must not forget that he has a part to play in all of this as well.
"He might think that he has done enough to justify getting the number one spot for next season. It's something which I have to discuss with him."
It is a difficult decision for McCarthy to make, although by allowing Stewart - the club's leading scorer - to leave, he has demonstrated that sentiment will play no part in determining the course he chooses.
That a decision has not yet been made suggests that - finances permitting - Myhre could be rewarded with a new deal. But a manager renowned for his meticulous preparations will first consider all aspects.
"Ben Alnwick has come in and done wonderfully well and I suppose that has stirred the pot a bit," he said. "All of a sudden I have an 18-year-old who has played as well as any of them. I have three very good goalkeepers. Will that be the case in the Premiership? I don't know."
The emergence of Alnwick does muddy the water somewhat and the teenager's development must be taken into account. It would be harsh on a player who performed magnificently in the final three games of this season to suddenly find himself as the club's third choice but, if this season has taught McCarthy anything, it is that he needs three capable keepers.
Should Myhre depart and Poom suffer another injury - the Estonian has not played since undergoing knee surgery in October - the Black Cats would be forced to compete in the top flight with an 18-year-old between the posts and a 16-year-old (Trevor Carson), on the bench.
That the Wearsiders will next season be subject to the Premiership transfer window is expected to play a major part in the ultimate decision.
The club's summer spending plans were discussed at length by manager and chairman yesterday and it seems that strengthening his midfield will be a priority for McCarthy this summer. The imminent departure of Whitley has come as something of a surprise. Although he did not feature in the first-team squad during the final month of the season, the Northern Ireland international started 32 games this term and is now seeking a new club.
The decision to put Sean Thornton on the transfer list is less of a shock following the mid-season episode in which his agent insisted the midfielder wanted to quit the club.
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