HULL CITY: Drop fight is Altidore's only concern
JOZY Altidore will shelve his dreams of World Cup glory in order to focus on Hull City's fight for survival.
The 20-year-old striker is poised to fulfil his ambition of playing on football's greatest stage with a place in the USA squad for the finals in South Africa.
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Hull City's Jozy Altidore
But with City's top-flight future balanced on a knife-edge ahead of Saturday's visit of Arsenal, he will not allow his thoughts to drift towards international honours.
Altidore told the Mail: "Nothing is more important for the city and the fans than us staying in the Premier League.
"That is our only challenge right now and that is all we are talking about. The next 10 games for Hull City are crucial and then possibly there is the World Cup for me.
"It is an important time in the next four months, so for me I need to take care of business here."
Altidore, who already has 24 caps to his name, could see his World Cup kick-off against England on June 12.
But having only been named on the bench during City's 5-1 defeat at Everton – a game watched by national boss Bob Bradley – Altidore is keen to make his mark in the final weeks of the season.
He added: "Bob has not given any hints to the squad. He has told everybody it's important to play over the next couple of months.
"Hopefully, I can stay healthy and I can keep playing how I feel I have been over the last couple of weeks and keep my form going.
"Bob was at Everton. It was tough, but he told me to keep my head up and keep going."
On top of City's relegation fight and possible World Cup, Altidore also faces an uncertain future.
A season-long loan move from Villarreal is unlikely to lead to a permanent switch to the KC as the Spanish side's valuation is beyond City's means.
But regardless of where he will be playing next season, Altidore is determined to end this season on a high.
He said: "I don't know where I see myself next year. There is so much going on that you can't look past it.
"I think England is a great league and would be my preferred choice as this is the best league in the world.
"Spain is very close too and has a lot of things which make it a special league.
"I'd like to get a chance to play in the Villarreal team, but if not we'll see what happens.
"But my personal future can go on hold. I am here to do a job and that is to help keep this team up."
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by b pearson, scotland
Saturday, March 13 2010, 8:27PM
“just finished watching the game against arsenal and i am sick to the stomach watching that clown Myhill gift all the points away after the rest battled for 96 mins and if anyone thinks im jumping on the bandwagon i,d point out i said the same at the beginning of the season.Im afraid PB would n,t know a decent player if it hit him between the eyes.He had a defence leaking goals so in the transfer window what did he do signed a striker who he hardly plays.It hurts like mad but i cant see us staying up not only that we,ll be bankrupt”
by gabn ferrand, ozoir la ferriere, france
Friday, March 12 2010, 7:44PM
“We just need to play like we did against chelsea.always attacking,and never let arsenal keep the ball and just stay in front of danger zone,even though it will be hard against the gunners.”
by ER Fan, East Riding
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:00AM
“Left back, have you ever been around anyone who is having an asthma attack? To wish that on anyone shows you have very little sensitivity or humanity. UTT”
by Left Back, Looking for Rabbit's Foot ....
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:04PM
“Sunderland and Wigan both did themselves a favour this week with huge wins. City need to do the same ..... and to be frank we've had few huge wins when we've needed them.
Play Altidore as one of the two front men, hope Dawson has a relapse on the asthma front before the game, and that Garcia gets lost on the way to the stadium.
Go Tigers!!!”
by John, Walkington
Thursday, March 11 2010, 5:23PM
“Forget the away matches, just need to bring our home form the the game. Last 10 home games, W4, D5, L1, and that was against Manure. Play 4-4-2 and hassle the Arsenal so they don't get chance to settle on the ball. Whichever players PB picks, they just need to be fired up, and the same with the crowd, needs to be very vocal and positive.”