NOTTS County boss Keith Curle says there is no rift with Lee Hughes.
The striker, 36, was just three minutes away from leaving the Magpies for Port Vale on loan deadline day.
He wanted to go and Curle was ready to let him join the League Two club for a month, but he is still at Meadow Lane.
There has been talk it will now be awkward between the pair, but Curle has rubbished that, saying: "Me and Lee have got too much respect for each other.
"I have respect for him as a professional and he respects me for being his manager – and that is massive."
Hughes will miss the Magpies' FA Cup second round tie at Rotherham United tomorrow through suspension – and Curle has revealed he gave him this week off following the collapse of his move.
"I've given Lee a few days off to go and clear his mind," he added.
"He was building himself up to join a new club for a month, to get some football, but unfortunately that fell through so there is a level of frustration in him.
"He can't play for us anyway so he'll be back training next week and we'll try to get him as fit as possible so that when he's available for us he is in good shape."
Asked if Hughes has expressed a desire to now leave the club in January, Curle said: "No, not at all. Lee is contracted to us.
"I've said to him and his representatives that if a deal suits the club then, yes, we will look at something that can help all parties.
"But Lee's a valuable player to us, we know he can score goals and he's an asset to us."
Hughes wants to leave because he has started just five times in League One this season.
"I've always said I've not got a worry about starting Lee in certain games," added Curle.
"In my own mind I don't think he can play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, so I use him sparingly, or as and when I feel it's going to benefit the team."
