Veteran Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has hinted he may be forced to leave Real Madrid as he is eager to prove his fitness to regain a place in Holland’s World Cup squad.

The former PSV and Manchester United striker said: "I want to play, I still haven't spoken to [Real Madrid coach] Manuel Pellegrini because I'm still recovering [from a thigh injury] but when I am ready I will speak to him. If I do not get minutes, that will give me a reason to leave in January."

Van Nistelrooy added: "My intention is to play at the World Cup with Holland. If I do not play, that will be impossible because I need to be able to prove that I can still play at the level I did a few months ago [before the injury]. That said, right now I do not have any club."

The 33-year-old striker missed the majority of last season with a serious knee injury and then picked up a thigh problem in his first game back after nine months out. He is contracted to Real Madrid until the end of this season.