South Korean footballer Koo Ja-cheol injured his left foot in training Tuesday and could be out for months, according to his German club and his agent.

Koo, a 22-year-old midfielder for VfL Wolfsburg in the top-division Bundesliga, tore a ligament in his left ankle during practice, the club’s website reported.

Koo went down in pain and had to be helped off the field, the Web site said. He is expected to undergo further tests Wednesday.

Choi Wol-gyu, Koo’s agent, said doctors have not yet given a clear timetable for the player’s return, but he could be out for a while.

“It’s hard to say how long he will have to rehab, but it doesn’t look so promising,” Choi said. “Koo told me he isn’t feeling good about this.”

This is Koo’s first full season in the Bundesliga. He joined Wolfsburg in the middle of last season, after leading the Asian Cup tournament with five goals in January.

Koo’s injury is the latest blow to the South Korean national team, which begins the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualification next month. The squad has already lost key midfielder Lee Chung-yong, who suffered a double leg fracture during a preseason game last month for Bolton Wanderers in England. Lee is expected to miss up to nine months.

South Korea opens the qualification against Lebanon on Sept. 2 in Goyang, west of Seoul. Seeking its eighth straight World Cup appearance, South Korea is also paired with Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Countries must finish in the top two of their groups to advance to the fourth and the final round. 

(Yonhap News)