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.

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."