DICKSON Etuhu admits he may be forced to quit Fulham in January if he continues to warm the bench.
The midfielder has made 10 starts this season under new boss Martin Jol, but just two of those have come in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has preferred to partner Steve Sidwell with skipper Danny Murphy in the centre of the park, with Etuhu forced to play a bit-part from the bench.
And the frustrated Nigerian international, who is contracted to Craven Cottage until 2014, admits he is considering his future in SW6.
He said: “It's difficult if you only get 10 or 15 minutes. It's very hard to get involved in the game, especially in my position.
“At the end of the day I'm not playing much now and come January I'll look at that.
“I'm happy the team's doing well and if I don't get my chance I'll sit down with my people and have a chat about it.
“If I have to make some changes then I'll have to. I'm 29 and I want to enjoy my years.”
Etuhu was a regular under former managers Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes before Jol's arrival in the summer.
And the 29-year-old admits he's concerned his fitness is suffering due to his lack of game time.
“It's difficult to take,” he admitted. “I do get frustrated but that's football.
“The worst thing about it is you lose your fitness and when you come in to play once every three or four weeks it's very difficult to enjoy. These periods are a test and I'm sure I'll come out the other side strong."
With Sidwell doubtful, Etuhu could make a rare start for tomorrow's visit to his former club Sunderland.
And he insists he's desperate to make his mark against the Black Cats, adding: "There's added incentive and I've got a lot of good friends there. They're a good team and one of the best in their area."
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Fulham news.
Follow me on Twitter.
