LEE Chung-Yong looks set to be thrust into action just 24 hours after arriving at the Reebok.

The South Korea international is on the verge of being granted international clearance and The Bolton News understands he is likely to be named on the bench for tomorrow’s season opener against Sunderland.

Chung-Yong has been waiting for over a fortnight to complete his £2.2million move from FC Seoul but it is understood he will be unveiled as Wanderers’ fifth signing of the summer today after flying into the country late last night.

Gary Megson has predicted big things from the jet-heeled right-sided midfielder but has pleaded with Wanderers’ supporters to give the 21-year-old time to settle in his new surroundings.

“He’s very young, he’s obviously from an entirely different culture on the other side of the world so obviously it’s going to take a little bit of patience,” he said.

“When people see him, I think they’ll understand why I brought him in. He is very quick, can run with the ball and at times looks like he’s pushed it too far, but has the ability to move on from that. He has an eye for goal too.”

Chung-Yong will become only the seventh South Korean player to play in the Premier League and has already stated his intention to emulate Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung’s success in England.

And while Megson knows Wanderers’ investment is a gamble, given the massive cultural differences between the two countries, he says Chung-Yong’s footballing attributes make it one worth taking.

“Alan Harper went out to watch him playing for South Korea and said that on the day he outshone Park Ji-Sung and played really well.

“We had a look at the DVDs and videos and talked to his agent before deciding it was a risk worth taking.

“It’s a great league to play in but everything is different for him – the language, the culture. Park is at Manchester United, not too far away for him, so that might help because he knows him from the international game.

“It’s a risk but I think it’s one worth taking. I think the Sunday Times did a poll of the top 50 up-and-coming players on the planet and he was in there, so hopefully he will be able to step up.

“One of the things you know is that he will be hard working – that’s part of the culture in Asia and I like that.

“People from the Far East have an inbuilt work ethic and team ethic, so we know the kind of person we are going to get. But it will take time and it is a huge challenge for him.”