Hull manager Iain Dowie has told departing striker Jozy Altidore he must improve his attitude to training if he is to fulfil his potential.
Big expectations followed the 20-year-old from Villarreal to the KC Stadium at the start of a season-long loan but nine months later he has headed back to Spain after failing to live up to his billing.
The USA striker scored only one Premier League goal and ended his Hull career on a sour note when he was sent off for headbutting Sunderland's Alan Hutton last weekend.
The three-match ban meant an early end to his loan spell and, with the Tigers' relegation to the Championship all but confirmed, there is no chance of the club spending the £6million it would take to make the move permanent.
Dowie said: "The fans have been fantastic, given him great support and probably he hasn't fulfilled his potential here. He's got one goal and for the level of investment it's probably not enough.
"I've spoken to Jozy a number of times since I've been here and, if Jozy can train the way he plays, I think he's got a great opportunity but he needs to understand that it's that day in, day out.
"He's a lovely, laid-back boy and there's no side to him but he needs to focus on training at a better level. Kevin Kilbane keeps turning it out because he trains at that level, Nicky Barmby can keep playing because he trains at that level.
"It's a different level than Jozy's used to training at and he's got to get used to it. He found the physicality of the Premier League very hard when he came in. He's got used to that now but he must not get comfortable.
"You've got to stretch yourself every day in training. I said that to him and wished him all the best for the World Cup. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a good World Cup.
"He's got the right attributes if he can play to his strengths, and that is turning defenders and running at goal. He's a monster of an athlete but he's got to use that physicality, it's about imposing that.
"I've always felt the best part of a player's make-up is the two yards in his head. The (Teddy) Sheringhams, the (Alan) Shearers, the (Paul) Scholes, the (Ryan) Giggs, the (Wayne) Rooneys are two yards ahead of you in their head.
"Their football intelligence is bright and I think that's also something probably Jozy needs to work on."
Altidore apologised to the Hull fans for his red card earlier this week, saying on Twitter:
"I'm so sorry. Made a stupid, immature and costly mistake. I apologise to Hull City and the fans who I let down. I let my emotions get the best of me and lost my composure. Believe it or not, this year playing for Hull was to date the best trip I've ever been on."
With Altidore out of contention for Monday's trip to Wigan, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink could return to the side. The Dutchman, who was knocked unconscious in the 2-0 defeat by Aston Vila last week, was due to resume training today.
Young striker Mark Cullen is also pushing for a start after making his Premier League debut off the bench last weekend. Dean Marney has recovered from illness but Kamil Zayatte, Ian Ashbee, Richard Garcia (all knee) and Stephen Hunt (foot) are all out for the season.
