BOSTON -- United States international striker Jozy Altidore has said that if his situation at Sunderland doesn't improve over the next few months, he'll be looking to switch clubs during the January transfer window.
Altidore has struggled to make an impact with the Black Cats since joining the club from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2013. He suffered through a brutal campaign last season, scoring just twice in 37 league and cup appearances. By the end of the season, he had been reduced to a substitute's role.
A hamstring injury just minutes into the U.S. team's World Cup opener against Ghana slowed Altidore's progress during preseason with his club.
Since returning to full fitness, Altidore has been second choice behind Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham, both of whom scored in last weekend's 3-1 league win against Stoke City. Altidore has been an unused substitute for the Black Cats' last two league fixtures.
Overall he has made six appearances, and scored one goal in the League Cup defeat against Stoke City back on Sept. 23.
"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 before Wednesday's training session with the U.S. national team.
Altidore's relative lack of playing time has left him concerned about his standing with U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who has urged his men to play for clubs where they can be regular fixtures in the starting XI.
"[The next] four years, I want to be part of the national team," said Altidore. "Jurgen 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."