Jordaan, visiting the annual Football Expo trade show, was talking before leaving for England to meet with officials of Leeds United and Charlton Athletic.

They will discuss the international futures of Leeds' skipper Lucas Radebe and Charlton striker Shaun Bartlett, who are among many players torn between commitments for their clubs and country.

Jordaan hopes to smooth over the problem as South Africa have six World Cup qualifiers to play before July.

'This is more than a club v country issue,' he told Reuters.

'It represents the real problems affecting so many footballers at the moment.'

'FIFA's new unified calendar is due to start next January and it cannot come in quickly enough.'

'We cannot carry on playing club and international matches at the same time,' he added.

Under the new calendar World Cup qualifiers or friendlies will be played on the same weekend around the world, freeing up the players for club matches at all other times.

'The clubs will have the players for 44 weeks and the countries for eight weeks under the new system which should, hopefully end the problem,' said Jordaan.

'The question regarding Lucas is a particular one which I hope to solve with the Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale and his manager David O'Leary,' he added.

Radebe has put off his decision to retire from international football after Jordaan persuaded him to think again.

The 31-year-old defender made his 63rd international appearance in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Burkina Faso - but he faces a gruelling few months of Champions League and World Cup matches.