United midfielder Park set to miss out on Beijing Olympics due to knee injury
Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung is set to miss out on the chance to represent South Korea at the Olympics because of injury.
The 27-year-old was in contention to be named as one of three eligible players aged over 23 for the competition, but is struggling with a knee injury which forced him to miss last Saturday's 3-1 World Cup qualifying win in Turkmenistan.
Park recovered from an operation on the same knee at the end of 2007 to help Manchester United to a famous Premier League and European Cup double and
ensure South Korea's progression to the next round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Park Ji-sung fighting for the ball in South Korea's World Cup qualifier against Jordan earlier this month
"Unfortunately, Park will not be selected for the Olympics," coach Park Sung-hwa said.
"After discussing the matter with the Korean Football Association, we made the decision considering the fact that Park isn't fit and he will be in competition at his club.
"Manchester United's pre-season training starts on July 7 and it would be difficult for the player to come back and combine well with the team."
Coach Park denied West Brom midfielder Kim Do-heon, who scored a hat-trick for the senior team in Turkmenistan, could be drafted in as a replacement.
"Kim is in a similar position," added Park. "He will be playing in the Premier League for the first time with his club."
