BOUDEWIJN Zenden is considering his Sunderland future after being cold-shouldered during the club’s recent losing steak.

The club captain is unhappy at playing just nine minutes of the last six matches, during which the Black Cats garnered a solitary point.

While he refuses to jump to any decisions with eight matches to play this season, Zenden hinted he could walk away this summer if his situation does not improve.

Steve Bruce values the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Holland midfielder for his qualities on and off the field, and has spoken publicly about his desire to keep Zenden after his contract expires at the end of the season.

But Zenden is unclear where his future lies, but hopes in the short-term it is in playing rather than coaching.

“There hasn’t been a chat yet (about a new contract),” he said. “The situation hasn’t changed.

“In the last six games, I believe I’ve had about nine minutes. You can understand where I am at the moment.

“It’s certainly something I will take into consideration.

“I’m obviously not happy with the minutes I’ve had, but that doesn’t mean we have to jump to conclusions. There’s still loads to come. That could

definitely be at Sunderland, but it could definitely be somewhere else. Maybe because of the situation I’m in, (a move into coaching) is something other people will start speculating about, but I’m not ready for it.

“I’m not going to be pushed into certain situations when I’m not ready for it. But it might put question marks over what I want.”

Bruce admitted he should have brought Zenden on for the injured Sulley Muntari in Sunderland’s previous game, against Liverpool.