OPINION
Rafa Benitez has been dealt a headache regarding his midfield options at Newcastle United after a match report on Monday suggested that Ki Sung-yeung had suffered an injury.
The 29-year-old midfielder is currently away on international duty representing South Korea and according to Channel News Asia’s report on his latest outing the player limped off against the Philippines with a suspected hamstring injury.
Given that Ki was brought off the pitch ahead of his side taking the lead, in a game they did eventually win 1-0, then it shows there must be some real concern regarding him.
The midfield maestro is an important player for his nation, shown by the fact he has 107 caps for them, and they wouldn’t have brought him off if there was any chance he could continue.
Benitez is already struggling for top-quality midfield options currently and was no doubt relying on Ki’s return as soon as he could in tip-top condition to make his manager’s job easier.
This isn’t because Ki has looked impressive in his 12 outings this season but because fellow midfielder Jonjo Shelvey just can’t see to shake off a thigh injury that’s ruining his season currently as according to Sky Sports he’s even on his way to Barcelona to see a specialist.
So therefore given that Ki is probably at the very least not going to return to the Magpies in the near future at 100% as hamstring injuries you have to be careful over, Benitez has been given a headache as there’s no guarantee his problems are going to get easier.
The manager was no doubt dreading the 29-year-old picking up an injury on international duty as it just that little bit more annoying than if he had sustained a problem while featuring for the Magpies.
Yet it seems that dreaded scenario looks likely if the latest report on Ki’s outing for his nation on Monday is anything to go by.
