Hassan Kachloul and Tahar El Khalej will miss the vital clash at home to Charlton a week tomorrow after being called up by Morocco for African Nations Cup duty.

The Dell duo have been selected for the squad to face local rivals Tunisia in Tunis on the same day.

Saints had been hoping that the international would coincide with any suspension imposed on Kachloul by the FA who have charged him with misconduct.

He has requested a personal hearing but no date has yet been set for the tribunal for an alleged attempted head butt following his recent red card against Leeds.

If found guilty he is likely to collect a three-match ban which could coincide with Morocco's World Cup qualifier against Egypt later this month.

If he gets away without a ban he, and El Khalej, may miss out on the FA Cup fourth round - assuming Saints beat Sheffield United - which falls at the same time as the Egypt match.

Kachloul said: "I am very disappointed that Tahar and I will be missing the game against Charlton because it is a big one. But I am sure the lads will do a good job and win without us.

"It is also a big match for Morocco because there is a lot of local rivalry with Tunisia. We have beaten Kenya 1-0 but we lost 2-0 to Gabon but two teams go through so we should be OK.

"The World Cup group is a lot tighter because only one of the five teams will qualify from each of the five sections.

"Egypt are supposed to be favourites in ours but we are top at the moment with four points from a 0-0 draw with Gambia and a 2-1 win over Algeria. We also have to play Senegal.

"I hope any ban from the FA will coincide with that fixture but I hope even more that I do not get a suspension at all.

"I cannot say too much about it at the moment. I have consulted a lawyer from the PFA and told the FA I want a personal hearing. I hope that will help.

"We have two weeks to build our defence and they will notify the club of a date for the case."

Matthew Le Tissier is now back in full training after more than two months out with a persistent knee injury.

He is hoping to be fit in time for the reserve game at home to Charlton a week on Monday.

If tomorrow's tie ends in a draw, the replay will be at Bramall Lane on Tuesday January 16, kick-off 7.45.

It will be all-ticket and seats at £18 for adults and £9 concessions will go on sale to members and season ticket holders immediately after tomorrow's game.

Any unsold tickets will go on general sale at 9am a week tomorrow.