Jesse Lingard to return in 2 weeks: FC Seoul boss Kim Gi-dong

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard, center, dribbles the ball during a K League 1 match against Jeju United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on March 16. [NEWS1]

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard looks set to return to the pitch in about two weeks after a knee injury kept him sidelined for nearly two months.

FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong said before a K League 1 match against Ulsan HD on Saturday that Lingard has been on a partial training schedule due to his injury, but once he returns to a full training course next week, he will need about two weeks to be back in game action.

The former Manchester United midfielder made a surprising move to FC Seoul in February ahead of the 2024 K League 1 season but has played just three league matches and has yet to record a goal or an assist.

The injury Lingard picked up during training in March has forced him to miss every match after his side's 2-0 win over Jeju United on March 16. He then underwent surgery on his knee on April 13, watching FC Seoul games from the stands instead.

Lingard will immediately have some work to do once he returns to the pitch, as FC Seoul is struggling in the early days of the season. They have recorded three wins, three draws and five losses to sit in seventh place on the 12-team table as of press time Sunday.

After suffering a 1-0 loss to defending champions Ulsan HD at home on Saturday, their points gap with league leaders Pohang Steelers ticked up to 12 points.

A resurrected Lingard could invigorate FC Seoul’s attack, as pace and tidy crosses were his forte during his glory days. While he was on the books with United from 2011 through 2022, he recorded 35 goals and 20 assists in 232 appearances.

As it has only been two months since the 2024 season began, there is still plenty of time for Lingard and FC Seoul to bounce back and end the capital side’s trophy drought that has lasted since 2016 — the last time the club won the K League 1.

FC Seoul will next face Incheon United in Incheon on May 11.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]