Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung rules out a return to international football

Former captain will rebuff calls to play for his national side again as they look to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, while Tom Cleverley reveals he's close to full fitness

By Simon Sinclair

Park Ji-Sung, Manchester United
Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung has ruled out a return to international football for South Korea's push for a place in the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

The 30-year-old retired from international football last year following the Asian Cup tournament where South Korea finished in third place.

A recent defeat to Lebanon has left the Korea's hopes of reaching the finals for Brazil 2014 on a knife-edge, leading to calls for the Red Devils midfielder to return for the final round of fixtures on the 29 February, however Park has rejected the opportunity.

He told reporters: "If I had thoughts to return I would have never made the retirement announcement.

"I don't think the national team could overcome the difficult situation with just a player like me returning to the team.

"Those reports that our team is in crisis may affect players, but if players perform like they have been doing and concentrate, there will be a good result.

"The national team is better than Kuwait, so I just hope players don't think too much on the match."

Meanwhile, Park’s United team-mate Tom Cleverley has revealed he’s close to full fitness after spending three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

He said on his Twitter page: “Happy to be nearly in full training the return isn't far away now!”

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