St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes does not expect Michael Duberry to change his decision to leave the Scottish Premier League in the summer.
The 34-year-old defender joined the Perth club in February, but his family have remained in North London.
"Michael Duberry has been pretty consistent with what he said," said McInnes. "He had always said he would just do it until the end of the season.
"He has his family and four kids down the road."
Duberry, suspended for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, arrived in Perth after having his contract with League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers terminated by mutual consent.
The defender who started his career with Chelsea before spells with Leeds United, Stoke City and Reading has helped steer St Johnstone clear of relegation trouble in their first season back in Scotland's top flight.
It would take a really fantastic offer to prize Jody Morris away from us
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes
But, although McInnes believes Duberry has enjoyed his time at McDiarmid Park, he expects him to seek another club when his short-term contract ends.
"He's made a commitment to us and a sacrifice to us, which we have been grateful for, but I don't see that situation changing," McInnes told BBC Scotland.
"I think if he could move St Johnstone down to North London, he would happily sign.
"He has made that commitment to us and it was always on the premise that it would be short-term.
"His family is important to him, like everybody, and I think he misses them.
"The sacrifice he has made has been well received by everybody at St Johnstone, because he has done very well for us."
McInnes, meanwhile, expects another former Chelsea and Leeds player, Jody Morris, to remain with St Johnstone next season.
"Jody is contracted here," the Saints manager said of the midfielder who joined St Johnstone in 2008 after leaving Millwall.
"He has another two years left of his contract.
"It would take a really fantastic offer to prize him away from us. He is a key player for us."
McInnes is keen to freshen up his squad now that last season's First Division champions have ensured another season in the SPL.
"There's a few boys out of contract, but players aren't daft, some of them know they have to try and stay in my thoughts and be part of something here and we want to keep the nucleus of the squad," he said.
"Like every manager, you want to add to it. So, when that happens, some players have to move on.
"There are areas where we want to strengthen and it's not just strengthening, we want to make certain positions better, make the squad a bit rounder and bring in people with a freshness and an injection to it all, like we've had this season.
"We want to make sure that we're ready for the challenge ahead."
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