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BARTLETT UNLIKELY TO GET INTERNATIONAL SWANSONG
South African striker Shaun Bartlett is unlikely to be accorded an international swansong on Saturday for his country after picking up an ankle injury in training.
Bartlett, who plays in England for Charlton Athletic, was set for a record 75th international appearance for South Africa in their last World Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo but on Friday officials said injury was likely to rule him out.
Bartlett injured an ankle in training for the match earlier this week and it has not responded to treatment.
Bartlett, who turns 33 later this month, announced his intention to retire from international football after the match, in which South Africa need one point to qualify for next year’s African Nations Cup finals.
On top of being South Africa’s most capped international, Bartlett has scored a record 29 times for his country since his debut 10 years ago.