By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Pohang Steelers' newly-acquired Seol Ki-hyeon quit his 10-year stint in European leagues, including the Premiership, to take a shot at his third World Cup appearance.
But even before stepping on K-League turf, the 31-year-old's hope of playing in football's biggest tournament has nearly been dashed due to injury.
According to the K-League team Wednesday, the attacking midfielder was evaluated to have torn cartilage in his left knee after complaining of pain there during practice two days earlier. A second examination also showed that surgery is likely necessary.
The team also said that if Seol has an operation, he is expected to be out for as long as three months, which means that he would not be available for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Seol's team has been deliberating over the possible surgery and he is planning to have more examinations to keep alive a remote chance to appear in the World Cup.
The former South Korean has collected 19 goals in 83 international caps, including a last-minute equalizer against Italy in the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup.
While playing at Kwangwoon University in 2000, he was signed by Royal Antwerp in Belgium and also played for another Belgian outfit, Anderlecht, before joining Reading FC in 2006.
Seol, the third South Korean footballer to play in the Premier League, moved to Fulham in 2007, but spent most of his time on the bench.
The Gangwon native appeared in just 18 regular-season matches over three years there, which he admitted affected his game.
Seol, who wanted to play on a regular basis to make the World Cup squad, had his contract with the Cottagers cancelled on January 18. He agreed to a one-year deal with the defending Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League winner a day later.
During an overseas training session in Japan last month, he began feeling soreness in his knee, which ruled him out for the K-League and AFC Champions League this season.
After nurturing his knee at home in Busan, he rejoined the team last week.