Stoke City forward Bae Junho summoned as 'Son Heung-min alternative'
Bae Junho has been recalled to the South Korea squad for two games during the October international break.
The 21-year-old Stoke City playmaker has been summoned for duty for the first time under new boss Hong Myung-bo. Hong has selected a large number of young players, as well as Tottenham star Son Heung-min, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Junho had been selected twice under a caretaker manager in June, making his first appearances at senior level after being tipped for the big time as he came through the youth teams - and scoring on his debut against Singapore.
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He has been highlighted by the Korean press as an alternative if Son, if Son is not declared fit in time for World Cup qualifiers against Jordan, away, on October 10 or Iraq, at home, on October 15. He will join fellow players based in Europe to fly straight to Jordan to meet up with the party.
Coach Hong said, “I spoke directly with Son Heung-min. He is not yet in a condition to play, but he is improving little by little, so we will have to wait and see. I will find a way not to overwork him by communicating with him, his team, and the Korea Football Association. There are enough replacement players for Son Heung-min."
Junho is currently preparing for Stoke's mid-week Championship game at home against Portsmouth (Wednesday, 7.45pm).
Hong explained when he left him out previously: "I am fully aware of Bae Jun-ho's abilities. However, because he recently suffered an injury, I checked several factors and excluded him."