CHUNG-YONG Lee’s situation at the Asia Cup has gone from bad to worse, with reports suggesting he could soon be on his way back to Wanderers.

The midfielder has travelled back to Korea from Australia for medical tests on an injured leg sustained in a group game against Oman on Saturday.

Korea coach Uli Stielike calmed fears of a major problem for the 26-year-old playmaker at first, words echoed by Neil Lennon at the weekend.

But Chung-Yong was absent for his country’s victory over Kuwait this morning, with news emerging prior to kick off that the problem could be more serious than first feared.

"Yes, he has a fracture in his right leg," a spokesman for the KFA said this morning. "But it's not serious, it's a hairline fracture."

No confirmation has yet been issued but initial suggestions in Australia are that he stands to miss three weeks of action, bringing to an end his involvement in the tournament and ruling out any chance of him featuring for Wanderers in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool at Anfield on January 24.

Lennon was holding out hope Korea would fail to qualify for the latter stages of the Asia Cup, making Chung-Yong available for the fourth round tie.