MARK FISH has become the first high-profile casualty of Charlton’s summer sales.

The 31-year-old South African international central defender has been handed a free transfer after making just six starts last season owing to persistent injury problems.

Manager Alan Curbishley explained: "Mark is looking for new pastures and we didn’t want to stand in his way. We thank him and wish him well in the future."

Fish joined Charlton in a £700,000 deal from Bolton in October, 2000 and made 109 appearances. Bolton paid Italian club Lazio £2,500,000 for him in September, 1997.

Throughout his time at The Valley he was plagued by injuries which were not always football related.

In March last year he suffered severe chest injuries following a freak accident at home.

He started the opening four matches of the 2004-05 campaign but was dropped after the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on August 28.

Fish was recalled for the disastrous 4-1 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on March 19 but looked ill at ease.

His last appearance at The Valley was on May 12 when he played for the reserves in the Barclays Premier Reserve League play-off against Manchester United. Again, he looked out of sorts.

Charlton are pursuing Inter-Milan’s 25-year-old Uruguay international central defender Gonzalo Sorondo as replacement for Fish.

Sorondo is no stranger to the Premier League having made 14 starts while on loan with Crystal Palace last season. Charlton have gone to appeal after an application for a work permit was rejected.

Meanwhile, Curbishley remains confident of making up to four new signings before his squad return for pre-season training on July 4, despite missing out on Jonathan Stead to Sunderland.

He insisted he did not have to sell before bringing in new players and added: "I’m looking to get two or three in as soon as possible and then we will think about players leaving.

"If someone comes in with a bid which we think is acceptable then we’ll do business, though I’m under no pressure to let anyone leave."

Jason Euell looks the most likely candidate to leave The Valley and is due to have showdown talk with his manager.