Source: Northern_Echo
Zenden may quit Black Cats
BOLO ZENDEN has admitted his future could lie away from Sunderland despite the option of a one-year extension to his current deal.[LNB] Zenden, who moved to the Stadium of Light as a free agent last October, is due to meet Black Cats boss Steve Bruce later this week to discuss his future.[LNB] Bruce would like to keep the Dutchman beyond the end of the current campaign, but Zenden admits to being disappointed at the lack of firstteam opportunities that have come his way.[LNB] As a result, while both parties have the option of extending his contract by another 12 months, Zenden is considering a move away from Wearside.[LNB] I signed a deal until the end of the season with an option for another, and it's just a matter of time before I have a chat with the gaffer and people at the club, said the 33- year-old.[LNB] You never know what the gaffer's plans are for next year and it's hard to say what will happen. I am still 100 per cent focused on Sunderland because I have a contract here and there is no offer from another club. But there are a lot of things that will influence my decision.[LNB] The players, people at the club and fans have all been great with me, but the only downside of my experience up here has been my lack of time on the pitch.[LNB] Zenden has only made one Premier League start for the Black Cats in January's away game at Everton -and while he boasts a healthy 16 substitute appearances, most of those have come in the final 15 minutes of a game.[LNB] His opportunities to impress have been limited, even though he has regularly made an impact when asked to contribute from the bench.[LNB] I enjoy my football and that is the main reason I am up here, he said. Sometimes, it's hard for me to take just coming on for a few minutes.[LNB] It's also hard to make your mark if you're only on the pitch for about ten minutes.[LNB] Sometimes, you come on and the game is already settled or you are trying to consolidate a result. It's tough to put a stamp on the game. That is frustrating and is something I have to deal with in a certain way or maybe have a chat with the gaffer.[LNB] Bruce initially signed Zenden to provide cover on the left-hand side, but in recent weeks Steed Malbranque has been preferred as a left midfielder.[LNB] Youngsters Jordan Henderson and David Meyler have also edged ahead of the veteran in the midfield pecking order, while Kieran Richardson offers another left-hand alternative when he is not playing at full-back.[LNB] Understandably, questions have been asked of Zenden's ability to last a full 90 minutes following his release from his previous club, Marseille, in the summer, but the former Middlesbrough midfielder insists he remains as fit as ever.[LNB] Of course I can play 90 minutes, he said. I've done it in the past and I'll do it again.[LNB] It's nothing special.[LNB] But on the other hand, you see Rafael Benitez and he uses wide players for an hour, and even if they're playing well, he puts someone fresh on the pitch, continued Zenden. It's nothing to do with age. The wide men run the most kilometeres in a game.[LNB] I am still ambitious to do better every game, but you can imagine that coming on for ten minutes it's not easy to progress your fitness levels and understanding with your colleagues. It's a situation I've had to deal with lately and I'm trying to make the best of it.[LNB] Midfielder Andy Reid has returned to full training following a lengthy injury layoff, but will not be considered for this weekend's trip to West Ham.[LNB]
