"I was out of action due to an injury and I was waiting to get my chance to play once I recover," Kone told FilGoal.com.

"But I was surprised that when I recovered, I was still out of the starting 11 despite the injury of Amr Zaki."

Kone joined Zamalek in the close season from Military Production as coach Hossam Hassan sought to bolster his frontline.

Hassan used to field the 28-year-old alongside Zaki upfront in the early stages of the season but he suddenly fell down the pecking order after picking up a shoulder injury in late September.

The hugely popular boss preferred to play towering striker Ahmed Gaafar as a lone frontman lately in front of three attacking midfielders.

"What prevents me from leaving the club is my love for Hossam Hassan," Kone added.

"But if the situation remains as it is come January I will have no option but to depart. My current status at Zamalek does not match my ambition."

Kone was restricted to some substitute appearances during the past few games as the White Knights moved top of the Egyptian Premier League table.

He has scored just one goal since his summer arrival, finding the net with a bicycle kick in Zamalek's 2-2 draw with Harras Hodoud in the league opener.