CHARLTON’S Shaun Bartlett has been urged by manager Alan Curbishley to consider calling time on his international career with South Africa.

Curbishley spoke out after the 33-year-old striker returned from his latest stint of international duty with an ankle injury.

He said: "Shaun has once again gone off on international duty with South Africa and got injured, just as he was getting himself back fit for us.

"If he gets called up for the African Nations Cup in January then he’ll have to think seriously about what he wants to do because it’s about the third time he’s got injured while on international duty."

And Curbishley warned that clubs could fight shy of signing African players unless the authorities change competition dates. Next year’s tournament runs from January 20 to February 10, depriving Premiership clubs of key players at a crucial stage of the season.

The Addicks will be without defender Talal El Karkouri for that period, though other clubs, such as Bolton, will be hit far harder with the loss of up to six players.