Fortune says mixing club and international commitments is very difficult

The Manchester United winger is one of scores of players who will have to compromise his club career by taking up to five weeks out to play in Tunisia 2004.

The tournament is scheduled to take place between 24 January and 14 February, right in the middle of Europe's main leagues.

It means players will be forced into the inevitable tug-of-war between their club managers and national coaches.

Fortune is currently trying to negotiate a new contract with United, and knows that his absence will not do him any favours.

And he says that clubs may stop signing African players if nothing is done.

"People have to start sitting around a table to find a way of solving the problem," Fortune told Manchester United's own TV channel.

For the clubs, these tournaments are a nightmare Quinton Fortune

"It is very important to play for your national team, but these tournaments are often held at the wrong time of year in terms of club football.

"There are lots of good young players in Africa just looking for an opportunity but, for the clubs who sign them, these tournaments are a nightmare.

"From a personal perspective, I want to play as often as I can for United, so if the manager needs me and I am not here, it's even more frustrating.

"Maybe they have to start looking at holding these tournaments at the end of the season at the same time as the European Championships."

One other complication for African players in England concerns their work permits.

The rules dictate that they must have played in 75% of their country's competitive games over the previous two years.

Players who miss out on the Nations Cup could find their work permits are not renewed.