New York City FC expect Frank Lampard to join in their preseason preparations in January, rather than extending his loan spell with Manchester City.
Chelsea's record goalscorer signed for the new club, who will enter Major League Soccer in 2015, last summer but was then borrowed by the Premier League champions.
And -- after scoring four goals in three starts -- Lampard's early success for Manuel Pellegrini's team has prompted suggestions City will seek to extend his stay in Manchester, either until the end of the English season, the start of the MLS campaign in March, or the end of the African Cup of Nations, in February, which is set to cost them the services of fellow midfielder Yaya Toure.
But Claudio Reyna, the former United States captain and ex-City midfielder who is New York's director of football, indicated he believes the 36-year-old will be available when Jason Kreis' team begin their preparations for their debut campaign.
"Do we have a drop-dead date? No, we don't, [but] the plan is Frank will be in preseason with New York City FC," Reyna told reporters as NYCFC unveiled their new kit.
"He's continuing right now -- as we always talked about playing -- for Manchester City, which is fantastic for him. He's doing great, the level he's playing at, he's just back fully fit.
"The situation couldn't have worked out better. Frank has somewhere to play and [we're] really just excited to have him and he's really excited to be here for NYC FC."
Lampard was named Manchester City's player of the month for September after a run of four goals in three games.
He then missed five matches after being stretchered off with a thigh problem in the 4-1 win over Tottenham before returning as a substitute in City's most recent game, the 2-2 draw at QPR.
Pellegrini has consistently said that no decision about Lampard's future needs to be made until January while the former England international has suggested it is a matter for the two clubs to decide.