Chris Coleman questions Jack Rodwell’s desire to play football

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Sunderland reportedly offered to terminate the player’s contract and allow him to leave on a free, however Rodwell declined.

Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell’s desire to play football has been brought into question by manager Chris Coleman.

According to the Sun, Rodwell, who had previously asked to leave the club, rejected the opportunity for both a loan move away and for his contract to be terminated.

Rodwell is currently the highest earner at Sunderland and is on a reported £70,000-per-week, however he has essentially not featured for the Black Cats this season having trained mainly away from the first-team.

The former Manchester City man revealed in an interview that his decision was nothing to do with money and instead highlighted the fact that he was available for selection, however, Coleman was quick to address such claims.

As reported by the Sun, Coleman said: “I’ve not yet had a knock on the door to say, ‘I am ready, I want to play football’.

“Jack had the chance to go out this window. We said, ‘Yeah’. There was another club. I can’t name the club.

“But Jack turned that opportunity down. I am not here to motivate this person or that person.”

Rodwell was heavily linked with a move away from Sunderland to Celtic last month, however, such a move never materialised.

The club have been left increasingly frustrated with the situation as they continue to fork out masses of money each week to pay a player who is essentially contributing nothing to the team’s cause.

With Sunderland sitting second bottom of the table with only five wins from 29 league games, they are in serious danger of facing the drop for the second season in a row.

“Whatever you say you are going to do, then back it up. We need all hands to the pump,” Coleman added, “My office is right at the end of the hall, he knows where it is. But my door hasn’t been knocked.”