Jack Rodwell is considering the frustration of his current situation when he reveals one motivation for the future. He wants his son to grow up remembering him as the footballer who played matches, scored goals and won trophies.

He does not want this, leaving the family home before it is light and returning after dark, training three times a day — every day — away from his senior team-mates.

'I want Hudson to be proud,' Rodwell says of his two-year-old boy. 'I want him to see me play, to enjoy coming to matches.'

Jack Rodwell sat down to speak with Sportsmail to clarify his current position at Sunderland

It was revealed this week that the Black Cats have offered to rip up his £70,000-per-week deal

Rodwell himself was a boy of 16 when, 10 years ago last month, he became the youngest European debutant in Everton's history. He was, we all said, a future England captain and his international bow duly arrived aged 20. A £12million move to Manchester City followed and with it a Premier League title.

So how has it come to this? Newspaper headlines earlier this week revealed that Sunderland have offered to rip up his £70,000-per-week contract, which has 18 months to run.

He is not in Chris Coleman's first-team plans and accepts his time at the Championship's bottom club is up. Sunderland did not insert a relegation wage-reduction clause in his five-year deal when he joined from City for £10m in 2014 and, given the club's current financial peril, they are willing to let him leave on a free transfer.

Sitting here in Rodwell's Northumberland home, he reveals a range of emotions — from irritation to optimism, regret and excitement. But, perhaps most significantly, he is fit.

'Listen, I'm training three times a day, I feel great. It's the fittest I've ever been, in a weird way, and that's without playing,' he says.

The 26-year-old has been told he is free to leave Sunderland after failing to impress

Rodwell admits it 'hasn't worked out' at Sunderland but he will not walk away from contract

Rodwell wants his wife Alana (pictured together) and two-year-old son Hudson 'to be proud'

'It's the best condition I've been in for a long time and hopefully someone will reap the benefits of that. I've not spat my dummy out, I'm getting on with it, trying to turn the situation into a positive.

'This is my hardest spell here but there would be no use in me slacking off or huffing, I need to use this time to get ready for whatever is next. That excites me. I need a new challenge.

'I'm only 26. I feel like I've been in the game for a long time and people can't believe I'm still so young. I've been at Man City and won the league, I've played for England, I've had success and good times, just not enough for someone of my ability.

'Luckily, I'm young enough to change that. It's down to me now, no one else. My hunger is greater than ever, and that's out of pure frustration.

'I want to write off this negative period and go again with some positive momentum.'

Some supporters have suggested Rodwell should walk away from Sunderland, freeing them of the financial commitment. That, however, is an unrealistic demand of any person.

The former Manchester City midfielder is all smiles on his arrival at Sunderland back in 2014

Sunderland did not insert a relegation wage-reduction clause in five-year deal when he joined

'I think it's unfair to ask that of a player,' he says. 'I haven't put in a transfer request but I understand the club's stance and their position and, because of that, I understand it's beneficial for everyone if I move on.

'But it's not the fault of any footballer if a club decides to pay you a certain amount. I have worked from seven years old to get here; to then ask someone to just throw it away, that's difficult.

'I never wanted this. I joined Sunderland, a great club, to be successful, to feel at home again.

'It hasn't worked out, but that's not through lack of effort.

'Now, for me, it's not about money, it's about playing. If that means moving on to help the club in a situation that suited all parties, I would need no convincing. I'm a footballer, I want a football club.

'Why would I just walk away and be left jobless? The transfer window has two weeks to run and I'm prepared to do anything to play — any decision will be based on the chance to play football, not money.'

The outcast spoke to Sportsmail in an exclusive interview at his Northumberland home

He featured during pre-season but has made just three first-team appearances this season

Rodwell says he is ready should Coleman need him for Saturday's visit of Hull. That is unlikely and there is a feeling that his first-team exile is as much a financial decision as a footballing one.

Rodwell's exit would afford Coleman some much-needed room for manoeuvre in the transfer market. There is, however, no escaping that his time at the Stadium of Light has, for both player and club, been a waste of three and a half years.

There was a much-publicised run of 37 starts without a win but, as he points out, 'we didn't win many games in that period anyway'.

Rodwell does, though, protest when it comes to his fitness record.

He has made 76 appearances for the club but insists that would have been more had he been selected when available.

Rodwell still has ambitions of returning to the England fold but that seems a long way off

It was in 2013 when he won the last of his three England caps, against Brazil in the Maracana

'A lot is made of my injuries and yes, I've had niggles and muscle problems,' he says. 'Some managers haven't picked me and my form has played a part at times as well.

'But my availability has been good here, one season it was over 90 per cent. There was a period under Sam (Allardyce) when was I playing regularly and playing well.

'Sadly, Sam left for England. I've never had a career-threatening injury and I'm always looking for new ways to prevent those niggles. Touch wood, that seems to be working right now.'

It was in 2013 when Rodwell won the last of his three England caps, against Brazil in the Maracana, no less. Others may be sceptical, but he repeatedly makes the claim that he can add to that number.

Rodwell was a boy of 16 when he became the youngest European debutant in Everton's history

He made £12million move to Manchester City in 2012 and went on to win the Premier League

'I do believe I'm a Premier League player and I do believe I'm an England international when I'm fit and on form,' he says.

'Whether I have to take a backwards step first to prove that, I'm open to it, if that's what it takes I will do whatever to get back.

'Growing up through the England ranks I was captain and those three senior caps have left me wanting more. I still think it's well within my reach, especially at centre back. I just need a good run where I can really express myself and people say, "Wow, Jack's back".'

It is interesting that he sees his career revival in defence, the position in which he played until his breakthrough at Everton.

'It was only when I was fast-tracked into the first team, they put me in midfield, it was a bit safer,' he says. 'I do wonder, "What if?" If I'd just said, "I'm a centre back", where would I be now?

'The game has changed a lot. Centre backs now are ball-playing and a lot of midfielders drop in there. I know the position. I'm big enough, I'm quick enough, I'm good in the air. I've got the tools.'

But Rodwell failed to make the grade at Man City - and it's been a similar story at Sunderland

Despite things not working out following his Toffees exit, Rodwell does not have any regrets

Rodwell says he would make the same decision to join City aged 21 and the same is true of his move to Sunderland two years later. It is only with hindsight, he says, that things have not worked out.

Rodwell's next decision is vital. What will he be saying if we speak to him again in five years' time?

'I want to be talking about more England caps and having played with a smile on my face, enjoying it,' he says. 'I think that's so achievable. I'm excited. All I can do now is look forward.'

We leave Rodwell as he prepares to help his wife, Alana, with Hudson's bedtime routine. He is dreaming of a happy future, for him and his son.

The midfielder says in five years' time he wants 'to be talking about more England caps'