Hwang leaves Everton game early with possible injury

Wolverhampton Wanderers' striker Hwang Hee-chan receives medical treatment before being substituted during a match against Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England on Sunday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Hwang hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers left Sunday's game against Everton in the 16th minute after suffering an injury following a heavy challenge from Donny van de Beek.

Hwang, who only returned from injury last month, was taken down in the 13th minute but attempted to play on, before going down again in the 15th minute and signaling he couldn't go on. The Korean forward was able to walk off the pitch, but left clutching his thigh. Daniel Podence eventually replaced Hwang.

On his way off the pitch, Hwang attempted to signal an apology to the home Everton fans for the delay in the game. The apology was met with jeers from the crowd and Hwang eventually walked off.

Wolves went on to win the game 1-0.

Hwang's apparent injury comes just a month after he started to return to the squad following a hamstring injury that took him out of action for two months.

Hwang was sidelined after suffering an injury on Dec. 15 in the early stages of a Premier League clash with Brighton. He left the pitch in the 12th minute of the game after a collision with Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey. Brighton were awarded a free kick, and Hwang attempted to continue playing but left the pitch moments later, grabbing his thigh.

While out with an injury, Hwang not only missed five Wolves games, but also had to sit out two World Cup qualifiers with the Korean national team. He returned to the bench on Feb. 10 and made his first appearance this year on Feb. 13 against Spurs.

Although Hwang's current condition is unclear, he was named to Korean head coach Paulo Bento's squad for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Monday. Korea has two World Cup qualifiers left to play — on March 24 against Iran and March 29 against the United Arab Emirates — although the team is already guaranteed a spot at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]