Lee confident of Asian Cup return

South Korean defender Lee Young-pyo is confident he can recover from knee surgery in time for the Asian Cup in July. Lee, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in England's Premier League, suffered knee ligament damage in a UEFA Cup quarter-final match against Sevilla earlier this month.

"It was a rather simple operation, so there is nothing to get seriously worried about," Yonhap News agency quoted Lee as telling a local sports Web site.

"I believe I can fully recover and be in good shape before July,

when South Korea's national team is due to take part in the Asian Cup."

South Korea are in Group D with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for the July 7-29 tournament. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are co-hosting the competition.

South Korea are also likely to be without Manchester United's Park Ji-sung, who underwent surgery in the United States last week to repair a knee problem.

The livewire midfielder is expected to be out until August.