By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korean football manager Huh Jung-moo will announce his preliminary roster for the World Cup on April 29, the Korea Football Association (KFA) said Thursday.
The deadline for submitting a 30-man preliminary squad to FIFA is due on May 11, but before finalizing the 23-player roster, the 55-year-old boss intends to see who will be able to offer more to the team at the South Africa World Cup, which begins on June 11.
The final squad is required to be submitted by June 1.
After the announcement, Huh plans to train the invited players at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province and cut the squad down to the last 23 either before a friendly with Ecuador on May 16 or Japan on May 24.
The coach wants to call up players in early May, but due to the K-League schedule teams are only in a position to release them after May 9.
The list is expected to include those based in foreign leagues as well as those battling injuries.
From the European leagues, along with team captain Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, AS Monaco striker Park Chu-young, who was ruled out of the Cote d'Ivoire friendly due to injury last month; Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong; and Ki Sung-yueng of Celtic are likely to join the team, while Lee Keun-ho of Jubilo Iwata, Kwak Tae-hwi of Kyoto Sanga and Lee Jung-soo of Kashima Antlers are also candidates.
Suwon BlueWings midfielders Cho Won-hee and Kim Do-heon, who returned to Korea from the English Premier League (EPL) are looking to be called up.
It is still possible for Yeom Ki-hun of BlueWings and Seol Ki-hyeon of Pohang Steelers, who both have been recovering from injuries, to make the squad.