USA national team boss Juergen Klinsmann believes Jozy Altidore will remain at Sunderland next season.
The 24-year old striker experienced a difficult debut campaign at the Stadium of Light, scoring just two goals in 39 appearances in all competitions, which has prompted suggestions that he could be offloaded this summer.
But Klinsmann feels the former AZ Alkmaar star, who is preparing for the 2014 World Cup, will continue to learn his trade on Wearside unless something dramatic occurs after the Brazil tournament.
"I think it's very important that you understand the kind of phase a player is in right now, what phase of his career he's in, what he's learned so far throughout his career and what he's able then to do also in the future time," Klinsmann said.
"I think Jozy's still a very young player and he's going through a learning curve, and one big learning curve was this year at Sunderland. And it will continue to be Sunderland as long as nothing happens after the World Cup, he gets transferred or whatever."
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