Stoke City man Bae Jun-ho has returned from international duty with South Korea due to a possible dislocated shoulder. confirmed.
Stoke City have started the 2025/2026 season strongly.
SCFC are in a good position with the second international break of the season well underway. They may have gone winless in four with three consecutive draws, but the Potters are still fifth in the Championship table.
Mark Robins will be looking to get back to winning ways and maintain his solid position once competitive football returns. It will be crucial that all internationals return fit and ready, but concerns have been raised over Bae Jun-ho.
The South Korean Football Association released a statement on Sunday evening (via The Chosun Ilbo) confirms that the Stoke City man has been released from the U22 squad to return to England for assessment of a shoulder injury.
It is said that after picking up the concern during training, MRI scans showed ‘signs of dislocation’.
After dislocating his shoulder in pre-season, the new blow will be an obvious concern for SCFC. They will now conduct their own tests to assess the severity of Bae’s new blow.
Bae Jun-ho suffered a stunt in his attempt to find Stoke City’s momentum
Jun-ho is only 22 and has played 99 games for Stoke City since joining in 2023.
He showed plenty of promise in his debut season, while the 2024/25 term was another stable period, even if there were hopes he could do more.
The youngster retained a place in the Robins team this season. However, with just one assist in nine games and no goals, Jun-ho was unable to find strong form early on.
A spell on the sidelines would only disrupt his attempt to do just that. It is hoped the SCFC man does not face a spell on the sidelines, but if this is a recurrence of the shoulder injury that emerged in the summer, the Potters will have to take a cautious approach to his recovery and return to action.
Stoke City stats by Bae Jun-ho – via Transfer market
Who can Mark Robins turn to in attacking midfield?
Jun-ho may not yet score the goals he hoped for, but he will be a miss for Stoke City.
However, his injury means that there are opportunities for a man who was on the margins early on. There was a lot of excitement about the loan signing of Jamie Donley after his fine spell at Leyton Orient last season, but opportunities for the Spurs striker are limited.
A spell on the touchline for Bae opens up the number 10 role in which Donley has thrived. He will be the closest change in that role.
Other attackers who may be hoping for opportunities include Lamine Cisse and Robert Bozenik.
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