South Korea deliver positive Bae Junho update after flying start at World Cup

Bae Junho is back in full training and in contention to make his World Cup debut on Friday.

The 22-year-old Stoke City forward suffered an ankle injury in the last friendly before the tournament and has been working with fitness staff to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

He watched on from the sidelines as South Korea won their opening Group A game 2-1 against Czechia last Friday but has now been given the green light to join in with the rest of the group.

South Korea return to action against hosts Mexico (Friday, 2am UK time) before taking on South Africa the following Thursday (2am).

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A national team official told the Seoul press: "Both Bae Junho and Kim Tae-hyun [centre-back, ankle] are eligible to play starting from the second match. They are training normally."

Nate report: "As Bae Junho can play anywhere in the second line, on the left, right, or in the centre, he is expected to inject vitality into the Korean attack in the remaining matches.

"Only the first 15 minutes of the training session were open to the press. The players warmed up with light running and stretching, followed by ball-passing drills. After the passing drills concluded, the session was closed to the public to begin tactical training in preparation for the match against Mexico."

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