Korean World Cup hopeful Park Joo-ho said Monday he will try to fully recover from a nagging foot injury in time to make the national team for the big tournament.

The 27-year-old fullback returned home from his Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05. Park underwent a minor procedure to treat inflammation on his right foot on April 7, and Mainz 05 granted him his wish to go through rehab at home and prepare for the World Cup in Brazil scheduled to kick off in June.

Park told reporters that he won’t let his injury hold him back. “The surgery on the foot went well, but unless it’s completely healed, I won’t make the World Cup team,” Park said. “So I am going to concentrate on making a full recovery. I am trying to take extra caution. It still hurts if the foot stays on the ground for too long, so I am using crutches.” (Yonhap)