Sunderland midfielder Jeremain Lens has admitted he could look to leave the club next month after failing for force his way into manager Sam Allardyce's plans.

The 28-year-old Holland international was left out of the squad for Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier league defeat at Chelsea for "disciplinary" reasons, but has not started a game for the Black Cats since the 3-0 derby victory over Newcastle on October 25 amid Allardyce's concerns over his work-rate.

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That has left a man who arrived on Wearside during the summer from Dynamo Kiev in a transfer which could eventually cost the club £13million considering his options.

Lens told Fox Sports: "It's definitely annoying. I am not playing and I did not come to the Premier League to sit on the bench. Something will have to change anything. What, we will see though.

"A transfer in the winter? That could happen. Once the window is open, we will see what will happen."

Allardyce revealed after the game at Stamford Bride at the weekend that Lens had been omitted from the squad as the result of an unspecified incident following the previous weekend's defeat by Watford.

Reports have suggested he will be fined, but the player insists he is in the dark.

Lens said: "I know nothing. No one has spoken to me."

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