SHAKA Hislop's career looks to be over after FC Dallas granted the goalkeeper early retirement because of a persistent back problem.

The 38-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international goalkeeper has been out of action for more than a month with back spasms and there are real concerns the problem will be ongoing for the rest of the season.

"He's not going to be able to contribute the way we need him for the rest of the season," said FC Dallas coach and former Arsenal defender Steve Morrow in the Dallas Morning News.

"He is close to recovering, but in talking with him, our trainers and a couple of doctors, we think it could be an ongoing problem."

Hislop has reached a settlement with the club, who will now go with 22-year-old Ray Burse as the first choice stopper.

The player signed a guaranteed contract when he joined FC Dallas from West Ham last year, and was due to earn around £110,000 this year ­ the second highest-paid player on the Dallas roster.

Hislop began his professional career with Reading and also played for Newcastle United before joining West Ham in 1998.

He followed Harry Redknapp to Portsmouth in 2002 and returned to West Ham in 2005, making 16 appearances for the club before heading to Texas to play for FC Dallas.

He has collected 26 caps for Trinidad and Tobago, and played at last summer's World Cup.

Morrow added: "He has been a great goalkeeper, playing in England for many years, and had a great career.

"He probably didn't finish here the way he wanted to."