JURGEN KLINSMANN has told Jozy Altidore that his international place is under threat if he fails to force his way into the Sunderland first team on a regular basis.

That has prompted the powerful United States striker to concede he could have to leave Wearside in January if Gustavo Poyet does not give him more opportunities in the Premier League.

Altidore has had a frustrating 14 months in the North-East but returned for pre-season training keen to make a fresh start after an enjoyable summer at the World Cup with his country, despite suffering a hamstring injury in Brazil.

The fear of losing his place in Klinsmann’s squad, having been handed the captaincy last month, concerns the Black Cats forward and he thinks the only way to stay in it is by holding down a first team shirt at club level.

“I think I’ve done everything I could this season to come in fit, and get as fit as possible with the injury, and try to make an impact when I played,” said Altidore, who missed a chunk of pre-season with the hamstring problem he suffered in Brazil.

“[The next] four years, I want to be part of the national team. 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.”

Before last Saturday – when Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher both linked up well to score the goals to earn Sunderland a first league win of the season – Altidore could rightly argue he deserved to start a game.

Despite his horrendous record in the Premier League, scoring just once in 31 appearances since moving from AZ Alkmaar in a £6m deal, he scored in the Capital One Cup tie with Stoke City. He also looked bright during his substitute appearances in the league, which only amount to 53 minutes this season.

The 24-year-old, however, faces being left on the bench again when Sunderland return to action at Southampton a week tomorrow. By that time he hopes to have built up his match fitness by appearing for his country in friendlies with Ecuador and Honduras.

Altidore, who has 72 caps, is keen to be part of the USA’s push on a number of fronts. He said: “I’m still not fit yet, where I want to be. Running around after all these guys (US team-mates) has been fun and I’m excited to be here. They send the right message, so it’s good.

“They’re very lucky because they’re taking part in the programme at a time when you have the two Gold Cups, Copa America, maybe even Confederations Cup and the Olympics coming up. It’s incredible to be a part of the US national team at this moment in time so it’s a big opportunity for all of us.”

While Altidore looks to play his way into contention under Poyet, the Sunderland boss has learned he will be without three key members of his squad for the remainder of the month.

Ricky Alvarez, Sebastian Coates and Emanuele Giaccherini all face lay-offs. Giaccherini has an ankle problem, Coates suffered a thigh injury against Stoke and Alvarez sustained a knee injury in training last week.

Poyet said: “We think they are going to be out for around a month or so. It is going to be around the limit, maybe one of them for a bit longer.”

The Sunderland chief has already suggested his squad is not yet big enough to cope with a string of injuries, and is exploring a variety of transfer options, with Fabio Borini still in his thoughts. Borini’s agent, however, has reaffirmed that he does not expect the forward to be leaving Liverpool on loan.

Marco de Marchi, whose player turned down a £14m move to the Stadium of Light in the summer, said: “At this moment I am certainly not going to look for another club, as the boy is happy to remain at Liverpool.

“Let’s not forget he left a journey he already started at Roma in order to come to England. He has managed to find some space playing in the Champions League and starting in the Premier League. Things are progressing as expected.

“Liverpool have no intention of loaning him out, as they already proved in August. We know that and so do all the clubs who came looking for him in the last transfer session. The situation is exactly the same as it was in September, in the sense that he is very happy to be part of this important team.”