Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi has pleaded with Fulham to allow him to leave Craven Cottage on loan in order to safeguard his place in the South Africa squad for the World Cup finals.
Dikgacoi joined Fulham from South African club Golden Arrows at the start of August but has made only one Premier League start for the Cottagers.
That first league appearance ended in disappointment on October 4 when Dikgacoi was shown a red card for violent conduct following a clash with West Ham midfielder Scott Parker.
Dikgacoi has made only two substitute appearances since under Roy Hodgson and is concerned that a lack of playing time could wreck his chances of representing his country when they host the World Cup finals in the summer.
"It's a big worry that I haven't been playing and I believe I should be a regular player," Dikgacoi told the London Informer. "I was unfortunate to get a red card in my first game and now Jonathan (Greening) and Chris (Baird) have been doing well, I have to fight to get my place back.
"It's up to me to push myself. The manager can see in training I'm working very hard, but I need some action. Even games for the reserves would benefit me a lot, but if there is a loan possibility, then I hope the club will let me go - just so I can prepare myself for the World Cup.
"The [South Africa] coach Carlos Parreira is expecting me to play in my team. But I think the manager here believes in me. I was supposed to join last season but couldn't because of the work permit problems, but they still followed my progress and wanted me to come."
Dikgacoi made six appearances as South Africa failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup and represented his country at the 2009 Confederations Cup.