Shoulder issue ends Junho's stint away

STOKE City have been dealt a fresh injury concern after midfielder Bae Junho was released early from the South Korea Under-22 squad with a shoulder problem.

- Peter Smith

The 22-year-old was part of the group selected for the current international break, with the team facing Saudi Arabia on Saturday - a match they eventually lost 4-0.

Junho did not feature in the game, and on Sunday his national team confirmed that he had sustained an injury during training and returned to Stoke for further assessment.

“Bae Junho injured his right shoulder during training held a day before the friendly against Saudi Arabia on the 10th,’ read a statement. “Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results showed signs of dislocation, so it was decided he would return to his club.

“Bae Junho was released from the national team and left for England on the morning of the 12th, local Saudi time”

The news will concern Stoke supporters, as Junho has previously struggled with similar issues.