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Premier League: Gus Poyet says Jozy Altidore is happy at Sunderland

Image: Jozy Altidore: Will not be walking away from a challenge at Sunderland

Gus Poyet says Jozy Altidore is 'really happy' at Sunderland and looking forward to showing his true colours.

The USA international endured a difficult debut campaign at the Stadium of Light following a £7million move from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2013.

He did enough to earn a seat on the plane to the World Cup finals, but saw injury bring a premature end to his involvement in Brazil.

It has been a testing 12 months for the frontman, but Poyet says the 24-year-old will not be walking away from the challenge and is determined to rediscover his best from in England.

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On a player who has been linked with a move away from Sunderland, Poyet said in the Echo: “The idea is always to have options.

“We talk about Fletch (Steven Fletcher) and Connor (Wickham), but I can say that I’ve never seen Jozy as happy as now.

“I’ve got no explanation for that. But he looks really happy and knows everything that is going to happen and why.

“I think last year, unfortunately for all of us, there were too many doubts because of the way we started.

“Now he knows where he’s standing, knows he’s started later and knows he cannot play 90 minutes right now.

“He knows the importance of maybe the last half-hour for us. Hopefully then we’ll see the Jozy of the last five games (of last season).

“That’s great for us. He knows his role in the team for the next month.”

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