Celtic handed injury boost during international break
Celtic have been handed an injury boost during the international break, with Yang Hyun-jun offering an update on his condition. The winger has been away with South Korea's Asian Games squad since early September after he was selected as a wildcard pick
The Games are made up of under-23s squads, but each team is allowed three wildcard selections of overaged players, and Yang was one of the picks. But he has struggled through the competition with a hamstring injury.
South Korea, who have won the last three versions of the competition, are hoping to make it four to bag exemptions from military service for their players, are now preparing for a semi-final clash with Osaka on Wednesday.
South Korea will battle China for the chance to play either Japan or Uzbekistan in the Toyota-based final, and Japan are the obvious favourites, also playing at home. They beat North Korea in their quarter-final.
The good news for South Korea, and indeed Celtic, ahead of the semi-finals, is that Yang has declared himself fit and ready to play.
"I'm sorry for not contributing to the team. But I've fully recovered my fitness now," he said.
That is a big relief, with Yang having been key for Celtic in the early stages of the season. The South Korean was brilliant for Martin O'Neill on the left before leaving from international duty in early September. And you have to say, even if it is not the only reason, that since Yang has left, the attack has largely been dysfunctional.
O'Neill will be looking forward to getting Yang back after the break is over, with the Games finishing on October 3, and he will be desperately hoping he returns fully fit. Celtic haven't had enough production on the left, but the return of Yang will be a big boost, as will the expected return of Jota at the end of next month.
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