CHARLTON’S pre-season preparation has been hit by the loss of their Morocco international central defender Talal El Karkouri.

The club’s free-kick specialist is almost certain to miss the start of the new campaign after returning from international duty with a knee injury sustained in Morocco’s goalless draw last month in Kenya.

Manager Alan Curbishley said: "He’s come back with a knee injury and though he’s a quick healer, I’m not sure if he will be available for the start of the season."

The news is a huge blow to both the player and the club.

El Karkouri’s three-match suspension last season following his dismissal against West Bromwich Albion coincided with Charlton’s slump in form.

Ironically, before his enforced rest, he had been unhappy with international demands which, he says, will see him endure six-years without a break.

He said: "Other players in Europe, who are not in the national team, have at least six weeks of rest. Yet I had to play two World Cup qualifiers last month.

"It looks as though I will have to play in the African Cup of Nations in January and then the World Cup in the summer, all in 2006.

"That will be six years without a break. And I thought the football calendar was being realigned to help international players."

Curbishley has compensated for the loss of El Karkouri with the loan signings of fellow centre-backs Jonathan Spector from Manchester United and Inter Milan’s Gonzalo Sorondo.

Although defender Hermann Hreidarsson has yet to fully recover from the thigh strain sustained in the goalless draw at Aston Villa on April 20, Curbishley expects him to be fit and available for the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Charlton have handed a 15-day trial to Portugal Under-19 central defender Goncalo Brandao from Belenenses.

If he impresses, a loan deal will be negotiated.

Brandao is the youngest player to play in the Portuguse top flight. Belenenses are not keen to sell but feel that a loan spell would help his development.