Yan Junling, the captain of China's national football team, has been sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to be out for several months.
The injury occurred during training in November, when he fell awkwardly while attempting to make a tackle. He was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his knee.
Despite being ruled out for the World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Japan, Yan Junling remains hopeful that he will be able to return to action before the end of the year.
"Even though I'm out for now, I still want to contribute to my teammates," he said. "I'll keep training hard and hope to get back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Yan Junling has played a key role in China's recent success, scoring important goals in both the AFC Asian Cup and the 2018 World Cup. His absence from the squad could have a significant impact on their chances of reaching the finals.
However, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has assured fans that they will continue to support Yan Junling throughout his recovery period. The CFA also plans to work closely with him to ensure that he receives the best possible care and treatment.
In the meantime, China's other midfielders such as Zhang Jindong and Wu Jingyu have stepped up their game to fill the void left by Yan Junling. With all eyes on them, these players will need to step up their performances if China hopes to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.