Chris O’Grady has been urged by Albion manager Sami Hyypia to be straight with the club if he does not want to return.

O’Grady has been shipped out to Sheffield United on loan, only months after Albion bought him from Barnsley and awarded him a lucrative three-year contract.

The centre-forward hinted earlier this week that he would like to stay in South Yorkshire for good, citing how settled his family are back up North and his admiration for Blades boss Nigel Clough, who also tried to sign him in the summer.

Hyypia told The Argus: "He hasn't said that to me (wanting to stay). I expect that he is big enough to say it straight to my face if he doesn't want to come back.

“I haven't read those kind of things and I am not aware of it.

“He has my number as well, so if he has that kind of comment to make or that kind of opinion maybe he can call me and say it to me, then I would be able to comment more."

O'Grady is FA Cup-tied for Plymouth Argyle's second round visit to Bramall Lane tomorrow, which gives him more time to recover from a calf injury sustained in training with the Seagulls before joining United.

The problem cut short O'Grady's debut midway through the first half of Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by fellow League One promotion contenders MK Dons.

Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith, back on loan at former club Peterborough, has also been Cup-tied for Sunday's televised second round tie at Colchester.