MARK Fish revealed today that red tape had forced him to reverse his decision to quit international football, writes BEN Chief Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock.

Wanderers' South African defender, who controversially turned his back on the national squad in February, has accepted an invitation to join the squad for an African Nations Cup qualifier in Congo on September 3.

He has been forced into the U-turn because he has set his heart on playing his football in England and won't qualify for a work permit at the end of this season if he maintains his self-imposed international exile.

"I don't want to play for South Africa and I don't want to go to Congo," the 26-year-old centre confessed, "but, if it's something I really have to do to get my work permit, then I'll just have to do it. I want to continue playing football in England and this is probably the only way."

Fish's international return has led to the postponement of Wanderers' home game against QPR, which was scheduled for Saturday, Sept 2. Gareth Farrelly and Jussi Jaaskelainen had already been named in the Republic of Ireland and Finland squads for the World Cup qualifiers against Holland in Amsterdam and Albania in Helsinki respectively.

Per Frandsen has surprisingly been dropped from the Denmark squad for their qualifier in Iceland on the same day - less than a fortnight after winning an international recall.

Fish won 59 caps with South Africa, helping them win the African Cup of Nations in 1996 and qualify for the World Cup Finals for the first time in 1998. When he announced his premature retirement in February following the defeat by Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Nations Cup, he was critical of the administration of the national side and of coach Trott Moloto.

Now he has been left no option but to make his peace, although Molotto will be replaced by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz after the Congo game.

Ironically, Fish will make his return at the scene of the worst experience of his career. During a World Cup qualifier in April 1997, he suffered serious injuries when he was elbowed in the face and still harbours bitter memories of that 2-0 defeat at Pointe-Noire.

Fish has made no secret of his ambition to play in the Premiership, preferably with Wanderers, but his determination to stay in England is now stronger than ever.

"Two years ago or even last year, I might have looked abroad," he explains, "but now, with my family being so happy - not only in England but in Bolton - it's something I really have to give some serious consideration to.

"At the moment, my aim is to gain residency, get a British passport and take it from there."

Fish knows he has no room for manoeuvre, whether he elects to sign a new contract with Wanderers or move on when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Work permit rules are stringently laid down by the Department of Employment. He must be a first team regular and must have played in 75 per cent of internationals in the 12 months preceeding his application.

And with African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers on the South African itinerary, Wanderers can expect to lose him at regular intervals over the course of the season.