Derby boss Steve McClaren has given up attempts to recall Chris Martin from Fulham.
The Whites striker refused to play at the end of 2016 as he looked to force through a return to the iPro Stadium.
He missed the abandoned game against Reading, the 2-1 defeat to Brighton and the 2-1 win at Cardiff before scoring on his return against Barnsley.
Subsequent to that he missed two penalties in two games as Fulham drew at QPR and lost at Reading; he spoke to GetWestLondon after the latter to confirm he was content to stay at Craven Cottage.
That didn't stop him agreeing a new deal with the Rams and the Whites' chances of making a deal permanent in the summer appear dead and buried, although they can activate his £9million release clause.
"Fulham have made a statement saying categorically that he is staying at Fulham until the end of the season, and why not?" McClaren told the Derby Telegraph.
"He scored another goal at the weekend, and I wouldn't send him back either.
"Every effort was made by Derby County to get him back here, but unfortunately we couldn't in January but we have made sure he is back here next season."
