Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, recalled to the Trinidad and Tobago national side for the World Cup qualifiers, is close to ending his international career.
Hislop, in sight of his 36th birthday, was delighted when he was called up for matches against St Kitts and Nevis and Mexico but feels the trans-Atlantic travelling is becoming a burden as he approaches the twilight of his playing days.
Hislop's contract with English Premiership side Portsmouth runs out next summer and getting a new one is the priority for the 198cms giant as he seeks to extend a distinguished career by a further two years.
The World Cup qualifiers took Hislop's tally of international caps to a modest 17 spread over more than a decade, but much of that has been of Hislop's own choosing.
There are further qualifiers in February but the defeat by Mexico makes Trinidadian qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals less likely and Hislop, who has played in England for Reading, Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth, will decide his international future between now and then.
"I will talk it over with my family and see what is best. I turned down an invitation to play for Trinidad last year but the time seemed right to return," said the keeper.
"I don't think I will be playing international football much longer and these two games may have been my last. It is getting more difficult now. It is a long flight to Trinidad and I am not getting any younger.
"I also feel they have enough cover now with Clayton Ince at Crewe doing very well and they also have Daurance Williams coming through, so there is enough competition in the goalkeeping department.
"It will give me more of a rest. The travelling takes it out of you and now I want to concentrate on club football.
"But I want to say it is an honour to be selected for Trinidad and Tobago. I had not played anything other than one friendly over the last two years so it was nice to be back, particularly at my age."
Hislop left his Trinidad home as a teenager to study at America's Howard University before embarking for England and the chance to prove he could play in the lucrative Premiership.
"I will be talking to Portsmouth soon and see how things work out. I am still enjoying my football and I will not consider retiring from club football until there is no longer a smile on my face."
Highlights of Hislop's career at Portsmouth include helping the club into the Premiership in 2003 and saving a penalty from England star Michael Owen in an FA Cup tie.
Hislop's next slice of action will come on Monday as Portsmouth face Tottenham in the English Premiership.
