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Modise landed in hot water earlier in the week when Orlando Pirates suspended him for going allegedly AWOL.
This ban is just the latest event in what has been a difficult 18 months for Modise, where he has lost both his form and confidence due to reported off-field problems.
Barker is urging the Bucs midfielder to pull up his socks or risk falling into the bad books of fans - a fate no player wants to endure.
"Supporters could quickly turn on him," Barker told The Sowetan.
"The paying public might turn their backs on him as happened with (Carlos) Tevez overseas.
"He has to work hard because no one will lick his backside."
Barker also admits that if he were Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, he would not go near Modise until such a time as he is playing regularly for his club and has firmly placed his problems behind him.
"I would not pick him at all," Barker, who believes no player is bigger than the game, continued.
"I think he needs to start working hard because he is a good footballer. The sad part is that two years ago Teko was the golden boy of SA football.
"He was certainly the best in the country - but life goes on, with or without him.
"All footballers come to the end of their careers but he must not shorten his stay in the game," he added.
