South Korean national team forward Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers has been sidelined with another injury, just four months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America.
Wolverhampton announced on their official website on the 11th that manager Rob Edwards addressed Hwang's condition during a press conference ahead of their English Premier League away match against Nottingham Forest on the 12th (Korea time).
"Hee-chan is out. It will be a few weeks," Edwards said, confirming it was a calf injury. "We'll reassess in about two weeks to see where he's at, but it will probably be a few weeks."
Hwang started in the EPL Round 25 home match against Chelsea at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton on the 8th. With the team trailing 0-3, he collapsed in the 43rd minute of the first half, clutching his calf in pain.
Sitting on the pitch with a disappointed expression, Hwang spoke with staff members before being substituted for Ladislav Krejci.
Known for his powerful, driving runs, Hwang has been plagued by frequent injuries. Earlier this season, he missed significant time after sustaining a calf injury during the national team's October training camp.
Following this latest setback, some Wolverhampton fans have directed excessive ridicule and criticism at the player.
The club noted that "Hwang, who has faced criticism from fans recently, will be out of the squad for the time being to recover from his injury and is unlikely to return in the near future."
The club added that Edwards is placing his hopes on newly signed Adam Armstrong to boost the team's attacking options against Norwich.
Hwang's injury concerns not only Wolverhampton but also the Korean national team preparing for the World Cup. With the tournament just four months away, a prolonged absence for Hwang—one of the team's key attacking options—would be a significant blow.
The national team is scheduled to face Ivory Coast in a friendly match in England next month before traveling to Austria for another fixture. The coaching staff will now be closely monitoring Hwang's condition.