Al AIN // Asamoah Gyan may not play a full 90 minutes for Al Ain in their Etisalat Cup game against Dubai tomorrow as he continues to recover from his exertions at the African Cup of Nations.
But Cosmin Olaroiu, the coach, is optimistic the Ghana international will play a leading role in the long term by making a permanent move to the Pro League leaders.
The striker is on a one-year loan from the English Premier League club Sunderland and Olaroiu said: "If you ask me for my opinion if Gyan wants to stay in Al Ain, it is yes, but it is left for him to decide if he want to stay or not.
"From what I know about him and the way he acts, I know he feels good about this place.
"He is getting on well with the team, with us, the club management, and with everybody around him."
Gyan was one of the most high-profile Pro League signing in the summer and tops the scoring chart for his club with 10 league goals in as many matches.
"Gyan obviously is an important player for us," Olaroiu said. "He is not only scoring for us but also creates scoring opportunities for the others. And, most importantly, he motivates the other players."
Al Ain are in the running for all three domestic titles and a win over Dubai tomorrow would strengthen their chances of a semi-final place behind the Group A leaders Al Jazira. "Gyan is available for this game but may not play the full match as he has just returned from national duty," Olaroiu said.
The coach also played down his team's rise from relegation strugglers last season to being top of the table.
"It is easy to talk about what Al Ain were last season and what they are now, but it is not important for me," Olaroiu said.
"It is a matter of work, work and work, for any team. That's how I would like think of my time at Al Ain."
