SPORTS NEWS.

Lee Dong-Gook is set to miss Korea Republic's World Cup opener against Greece on 12 June due to a hamstring injury. The Jeonbuk Motors striker, who was left out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ by coach Guus Hiddink and missed the 2006 tournament through injury, is unlikely to be fit for the Group B clash. But the 31-year-old former Middlesbrough player could face Argentina on 17
June and Nigeria five days later.

"There is only a small chance of Lee being fit to play against Greece," said assistant coach Jung Hae-sung during Korea Republic's Austrian training camp. "The coaching staff will look at whether he will be able to play against Argentina and Greece."

Coach Huh Jung-moo will name his final 23-man squad on 31 May, the day after Korea Republic face Belarus. They round off their pre-tournament campaign against Spain on 3 June.