Bani Yas are considering whether to dispense with injury-plagued South Korea defensive midfielder Kim Jung-woo during the winter transfer window.
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Kim, 32, made only three Arabian Gulf League appearances before the international break after suffering a serious of problems. The summer signing from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors picked up another complaint in the final Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final defeat to Al Nasr on January 16, coming off on 38 minutes.
Initial worries centred on the former Sharjah loanee being sidelined for a considerable time, but these have been calmed by recent medical tests on his affected leg which state he will return to training before the weekend.
This inability to stay fit, rather than his performances when selected, have seen the Sky Blues consider their options prior to the close of the market on February 12. Intermediataries have been contacted about alternatives.
“We have been satisfied with Kim’s displays this season, but we cannot ignore the problems with injuries,” a senior Bani Yas source said. “We have had to consider a ‘Plan B’ moving ahead, especially when we thought he would be injured for a long time.”
The club hierarchy held two days of discussions about their ideas for the coming weeks last week, where the issue of what to do with their four foreign players was a hot topic.
Bani Yas coach Luis Garcia is believed to be more than satisfied with Spanish playmaker Joan Verdu, compatriot Angel Dealbert and striker Denis Stracqualursi.
Meanwhile, Al Nasr centre-back Ali Al Ameri has expressed his excitement over playing his second cup final since joining the club.
Al Ameri, 26, has excelled since arriving from Al Jazira last January. He will be a key player in Saturday’s Arabian Gulf Cup decider, just seven months after helping his new club to GCC Club Cup success.
