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As a seasoned player of Football Manager, nothing infuriates me more than players jetting off to participate in pointless mid-season international matches only to return to my club crocked. That fear came true this week for Bolton Wanderers boss Neil Lennon, who today woke up to the news that the injury picked up by star man Chung-Yong Lee was indeed a fractured leg.
At first hearing this sounds terrible, but the South Korean FA confirmed that Chungy has suffered a hairline fracture to his right leg, which could only sideline him for around three weeks. If this is true then Bolton may not be without the winger for any longer than had been expected with his international commitments - the final of the tournament is on January 31st, exactly three weeks after he picked up the injury.
The injury, sustained in a challenge with Oman's Abdul Salam Al Mukhaini during South Korea's 1-0 victory in their Asian Cup opener on Saturday, almost certainly rules Chungy out of the remainder of the tournament, and he is expected to return to Bolton for treatment.
The wider issue for Wanderers is whether this will affect Chungy's rumoured move away from the club. Several Premier League clubs, most notably Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Hull City, have apparently registered an interest in the South Korean since his return to form under Neil Lennon, but whether they will take a risk on an injured player during the transfer window remains to be seen.
If they do choose not to then, with Chungy's contract expiring this summer, he could leave on a free transfer rather than demanding a transfer fee in January. Lennon last week admitted he hadn't spoken to the player or his agent regarding a new contract so, with the manager keen to reinforce his troops as soon as possible, he will be keen to rectify the situation swiftly.