AHMED ELMOHAMADY has revealed he is considering leaving Sunderland in the summer, but insists he will focus on trying to impress manager Martin O'Neill before the end of the season.

The midfielder, dubbed the 'Egyptian David Beckham', was signed by Steve Bruce for £2.5million last summer after impressing on an initial season-long loan deal from ENPPI.

But since Bruce's departure last November, the versatile player has struggled to make an impact under new boss O'Neill and is yet to start a game under the Northern Irishman.

The situation has led the 24-year-old to evaluate his position and he admits leaving the Black Cats is an option if he wants to be a regular starter.

O'Neill has already stated that Elmohamady, along with the likes of Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-Won, will be given a chance to impress in Sunderland's final four games this season.

Elmohamady returned to Wearside yesterday after spending the last week with the Egypt squad in Dubai, and having played a part in their three friendly games against Angola, Nigeria and Iraq, the 24-year-old is ready to impress the Black Cats boss if given the chance at Aston Villa on Saturday.

"I spoke with O'Neill before joining the team's training camp in Egypt and he promised to give me a chance in the remaining games in the Premier League, and then things will become clearer for the future with the team," Elmohamady said.

"At the moment I'm leaning towards leaving, that's my thought, but I have not made a final decision.

"Maybe I can win a place in the team before the end of the season. If the situation continues as it is now I will leave, because I am looking to play and not sit on the bench because it would have a negative impact on my game."

Although disappointed to have fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light, Elmohamady insists he doesn't have a problem with O'Neill.

Since his arrival last December, O'Neill has galvanized a squad short of confidence and Elmohamady admits the improvement in form gives the Black Cats boss the right not to change his team.

He said: "I was in the starting line-up early in the season, as was the case last season, but the team's results fell away significantly and the club hired a new coach.

"He made several changes, and I was one of the players O'Neill left out of the team. Results have improved significantly, so he has the right to stick with a team which is achieving good results.

"O'Neill is a good coach at the technical level, and a decent human being on a personal level, and there are no differences between us.

"It's all just opinions on the art (of football). I'm not angry with him for leaving me out of games. It's his right to maintain a team which is achieving good results, and it's my job to do my best to regain my place in the squad, but I don't expect many changes to the team."

The Egyptian insists he is yet to receive any offers to leave Sunderland, but admits he would like to stay in England.

"I have not had any offers from any team in Europe, and this is normal because the clubs in Europe do not talk about transfers until after the end of the season.

"I want to continue my career in England because the league is fun, and having got used to playing in the English Premier League it would be difficult to leave and play elsewhere."