Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has explained dropping Jozy Altidore for the Capital One Cup final.
And as Poyet offers the misfiring American striker a fresh chance at Hull City in the FA Cup, the Sunderland manager has warned he is running out of time.
He said: "It was hard to leave him out but I needed to make the bench something I was comfortable with. I have a responsibility for the team. It's not nice, I don't like doing it but he has to cope with it.
"Let's see how he reacts. I look forward to seeing what type of character he is. I'd like him to prove me wrong. He should take his frustration out on the pitch.
"It's up to him. We saw it with Lee Cattermole. He is playing on Sunday but is that because of me? No, it is because of him. It's that simple. I would like Jozy to do the same - to show he deserves to play on Sunday and he will do well enough to play against Palace and Norwich. But because of him, not me. I'm not a charity."
