Magpies may be without their Ki schemer

NEWCASTLE United could lose the services of Ki Sung-yueng after Saturday’s game with Fulham.

The South Korean FA have the right to call up Ki 15 days before the Asian Cup tournament which starts in the new year, meaning the influential midfielder could miss the Boxing Day trip to Liverpool, the holiday clash with Watford and the FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers.

Ki has held talks with his international manager Paulo Bento over the possibility of a late arrival to their pre-tournament training camp.

However, Bento has allowed Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son to miss the first two group games after the player struck a deal with South Korea authorities earlier this year.

In a complex situation, Son agreed to play in the Asian Games in August and was told he would receive an exemption from national service with his country if South Korea won the tournament.

Son’s side triumphed 2-1 against Japan, which also secured him a later arrival to the Asian Cup in UAE in January.

However, Ki has already done his mandatory military service with South Korea and may not get an extension from his country’s FA.

Son, on the other hand, will miss two group games against Philippines on Monday, January 7 and Kyrgyzstan four days later.

Ki’s absence in January will also have implications for want-away midfielder Isaac Hayden, who will not be allowed to leave in January unless cover can be signed.

A central midfielder is not United’s priority in the window, though, meaning Hayden’s stay on Tyneside could be extended.

Hayden asked to leave for personal reasons in the summer to be closer to his wife and baby.

However, Yoshinori Muto will be available after not being picked for Japan’s Asian Cup campaign.