South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng, who plays for Sunderland on loan, returned home on Tuesday before the end of the Premier League season to recover from a knee injury, saying that he wants to play for South Korea in the upcoming World Cup.

Ki is nursing tendinitis in his right knee and has missed the past three games.

The veteran of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is an integral member of the South Korean midfield and should be among the easier choices for the World Cup team for this year’s tourney in Brazil.

Ki, originally under contract with another Premier League side, Swansea City, is playing for Sunderland on a loan. 

“Although I had long felt pain in my knees, I endured it and played. But my injury has gotten worse,” Ki told reporters upon arrival at Incheon International Airport.

“I received treatment for three weeks, but it hasn’t gotten any better. I cannot even run right now.”

The 25-year-old said he decided to come home for a quick recovery. He was immediately admitted to a Seoul hospital to receive treatment from the national football team’s physician.

“I want to play an important role for the World Cup. I wish I could get well ahead of the World Cup games,” Ki said.

Two other South Korean World Cup hopefuls, forward Park Chu-young and defensive back Park Joo-ho, have also come home before the end of their respective seasons in England and Germany. (Yonhap)