Birmingham City midfielder Paik Seung-ho has received a summons to train with South Korea's fitness coach in preparation for the World Cup, the clearest indication yet that the 29-year-old will travel to North America this summer.
Paik, who has become a regular for South Korea since joining Blues two-and-a-half years ago, now has 25 caps to his name. He is one of three Championship players—alongside Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho and Swansea City's Eom Ji-sung—who have returned to Korea for a training camp ahead of the World Cup.
After the Championship season concluded on May 2, the players were afforded a week's break before reporting to the home of FC Seoul to work with the national team's fitness coach. The Korean press suggests that the trio's place in the final squad is virtually confirmed, but head coach Hong Myung-bo will only announce his final selection on Saturday, May 16.
An official from the Korea Football Association explained to local media: 'The players plan to get in shape at a training ground in the metropolitan area starting on May 11. Although it is an unofficial schedule of the association, the national team's physical coach will set up a training programme and personally check on the players at the training ground.'
Paik has made no secret of his desire to earn selection for a second World Cup. The midfielder has even postponed shoulder surgery to ensure he is available to represent his country. 'It would be a dream come true again,' Paik told BirminghamLive in March. 'When I was in Qatar it was like living a dream every day. To be there at the World Cup is the best feeling for all football players and a dream for us all. I really want to be there.'
