Norwich City boss David Wagner insists no final decision has been made on whether to cut short Hwang Ui-Jo’s loan move from Nottingham Forest, after revealing he will be out for six weeks with more hamstring problems.
The South Korean international missed nearly a month of the Championship season, in the aftermath of scoring from long range in the 3-2 league defeat at Watford on November 28.
Hwang returned for the festive fixtures but was not involved in Saturday’s 1-1 FA Cup third round tie against Bristol Rovers.
Wagner confirmed afterwards the likes of Kenny McLean, Marcelino Nunez and Gabby Sara had been rested as he rotated his squad, but the City boss stated Hwang’s absence was injury-related.
The 31-year-old’s Carrow Road loan move from the Reds has also seen him the subject of sexual misconduct allegations in his private life.
The forward was not selected for South Korea’s Asian Cup campaign – due to start next week – prior to his latest injury, with the Korean FA announcing in late November he will not be available to head coach Jurgen Klinsmann until investigations have been completed.
“Yes, all of them we rested apart from Ui-Jo. Unfortunately he pulled his hamstring. And he’ll be out for six weeks. But all the other guys, we rested after this very busy period,” said Wagner. “(Could he return to his parent club this month?) We have to give ourselves maybe the next few days to assess how we deal with that situation.”
Wagner now has first choice striker Josh Sargent fit and available for the second half of the season, along with Ashley Barnes and Adam Idah.
All three were involved against Bristol Rovers, with Sargent making his first start since suffering an ankle injury in August.
Midfielder Jacob Sorensen and defender Grant Hanley also stepped up their comebacks after lengthy lay-offs with cup run outs. Wagner allayed fears Hanley’s stoppage time exit, with a back problem, was a concern.
“Everything I have heard after the game suggests this will settle down quite quickly. It was not the result of body contact, only muscles in his back,” said the City chief. “I think this was Lunghi’s first (senior) game in six months. First step done, obviously he will have to have much more game time as well in the under-21s, and then the training time as well. But it was the first step.
“With Josh, it was the plan before the game that he will play 45 as the next step, so that he can come to the level where he is able to come to. He, luckily, was one of the energetic guys who had his opportunities in this game.”
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