CHUNG-YONG Lee could miss up to six games of Wanderers’ new year schedule after being included in South Korea’s squad for the Asian Cup.

National boss Cho Kwang-Rae has confirmed that he expects all of his European-based players to turn out for the competition, which runs between January 7 and 29.

The Whites are duty-bound by FIFA rules to release the flying winger, meaning that if his country reaches the final in Qatar, he could miss Premier League clashes with Wigan, Stoke, Chelsea and Wolves, the FA Cup third round match with York City, any consequent fourth round tie.

It would also heighten concern that the 22-year-old could burn himself out, having had just three weeks’ rest in nearly two years of constant football.

Chung-Yong started the 2009 K League season with FC Seoul in early March and played 15 consecutive games before joining Wanderers in a £2.2million deal in July. He then featured a further 34 times for the Whites, earning a player of the year award, before jetting off to South Africa for the World Cup.

Coyle allowed the youngster to return for pre-season three weeks late, but he has still been able to start all 16 Premier League games this season.

Both Chung-Yong and Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung have now been named in a party of 47 players, which will be trimmed to 23 later this month.

Those players based away from Asia will be allowed to miss a two-week training camp in Jeju but will be required to join the camp at least five days before Korea’s opening group game against Bahrain on January 10.

Chung-Yong’s absence could signal an opening for Spanish youngster Rodrigo, who has seen his first team appearances restricted since arriving on loan from Benfica in the summer.