Swans set to be missing a Ki man for start of campaign
SWANSEA City midfielder Ki Sungyueng will miss the start of the Premier League campaign due to a knee injury.
The South Korea international did not report for the start of pre-season training with the rest of his teammates on Monday, after club staff travelled to Asia to examine the former Celtic playmaker’s problem.
He will now join up with Paul Clement’s squad when Swansea return to the UK following their tour of the United States.
Ki, who first joined the Swans in 2012, picked up the problem while on international duty in the World Cup qualifier against Qatar. It required a minor operation and his rehabilitation will keep him sidelined.
Ki enjoyed a stellar season under Garry Monk – on the back of an excellent loan spell at Sunderland – during the 2014-15 campaign, but he has not hit those heights in the two terms since.
The 28-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his current deal and there had been suggestions they may be prepared to listen to offers for him given the club are not short of bodes in midfield and a move for Las Palmas’s Roque Mesa is at an advanced stage.
“Ki has undergone a minor operation in his native South Korea after sustaining the injury in their Asian World Cup qualifier against Qatar,” said a club statement. “He will remain in South Korea to continue his rehabilitation, before returning to Swansea after Paul Clement’s squad return from their pre-season tour to America.
“The club’s medical team have been out to South Korea to assess him following the operation. Although no date has been set yet for his return to action, the injury is not expected to keep him out long-term.”
The news comes just a few days after striker Fernando Llorente fractured a bone in his arm in a cycling accident on holiday with his family.
The Spaniard was at Fairwood on Monday, with the fracture due to be assessed. The problem does not require surgery but will limit his involvement in pre-season, although the club are hopeful he will be fit to play some part in the Premier League opener at Southampton.