Shandong Taishan head coach Hao Wei said he took off midfielder Son Jun-ho halfway through his side's 2-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua on Monday to
Son was substituted after the interval when the score stood at 0-0.
"One reason for Son's substitution is that I want him to take part in the World Cup free of injuries. We wish him to impress at the tournament," Hao said.
The World Cup prospect of Son's national teammate and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min hangs in the balance after he reportedly sustained multiple eye socket fractures during a Champions League win over Marseille last week.
Son Jun-ho is planned to leave the Shandong side after their win on Monday to join the national team, who will kick off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on November 24.
Shandong currently sits on top of the Chinese Super League table with a three-point advantage over Wuhan Three Towns, who will play away to Beijing Guoan on Tuesday.
