Transfer Centre

Jozy Altidore threatens January exit

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 08 October 2014

Jozy Altidore says that he will consider leaving Sunderland in January if manager Gus Poyet does not grant him more first-team chances.

Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore has revealed plans to leave the club in January if his first-team prospects do not improve.

The United States international has played less than an hour of Premier League football this season after slipping behind Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher in the pecking order.

Consequently, the 24-year-old has grown concerned for his international future under manager Jurgen Klinsmann, and claims that he will be forced to leave the North-East unless things change.

"I thought I've done everything I could this season to come in fit, and get as fit as possible with the injury, and try and make an impact when I played," Altidore told reporters.

"[The next] four years, I want to be part of the national team. Jurgen [Klinsmann] makes his messages very clear, and nobody is different.

"If it doesn't turn around, in January then I'll be looking to start elsewhere, and make sure I'm in his plans going forward."

Altidore joined Sunderland last summer after scoring 51 goals in a two-year spell with AZ Alkmaar, but has since netted just three times for the Black Cats.

He has a further three years remaining on his contract at the Stadium of Light.