Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is staying at AC Milan and the question now is whether his decision to reject possible moves to Premier League clubs will slam the door shut on his chances of making an indelible impression at this year's World Cup with the Netherlands.

It has been a far from happy spell with Milan for the Dutch striker, who has fallen badly out of favour under Brazilian legend Leonardo after failing to find anything resembling a consistent run of form.

He has only scored three times since his £15m summer move from Real Madrid and his reputation as one of the most feared strikers in Europe is on the wane.

All the major European powers, including Manchester United, watched him a couple of years ago but he now resembles a pale imitation of the player who was so widely coveted.

His misery may not be over, however. For he may now regret the decision to not follow the example of international team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy and quit his frustration for pastures new.

Van Nistelrooy has enhanced his chances of featuring in South Africa by leaving Madrid for Hamburg. A second return from international retirement appears more likely with each passing week and there is a delicious irony developing in the fact that the former Manchester United striker may end up pushing Huntelaar even further down the pecking order under Bert van Marwijk.

Rather ominously, Netherlands coach van Marwijk has warned Huntelaar that he must be playing regularly for his club side to boost his hopes of starring at the World Cup and that has simply not been the case this season. He made a rare start against Livorno for Milan last weekend but opportunities have been few and far between.

He said: "I have chosen to stay at Milan because there are many people here with whom I have a good relationship. And I really am happy at this club."

Whether he rues his decision to not press for a move away from the San Siro remains to be seen over the next few months.
But he will surely be keeping a close eye on events at Hamburg, as van Nistelrooy prepares to stake his claim for inclusion in the squad this summer.