The fragile spiker Zhao Ruirui returns to the national squad in her return from a more-than-40-month injury break. [File Photo: Sohu.com]

Fragile Chinese spiker Zhao Ruirui will play her first formal game in more than 40 months in February, in her return from a long injury break.

Chinese women's volleyball head coach Chen Zhonghe released Zhao's comeback announcement on Wednesday. Chen is leading a national team training camp in Zhangzhou, in eastern China's Fujian Province.

Chen said the player will likely appear on the court in a warm-up match against Cuba next month.

Zhao returned to the national team's roster days ago, and the team has arranged special check-ups to monitor her physical status.

Though many have expressed doubts that Zhao could return to her previous form after such a prolonged absence, Chen reassured fans that the regular training Zhao has continued during her break kept her in sufficient shape.

Her appearances in the coming warm-up series will also boost her fitness level before the Beijing Olympics in August, the coach added.

Zhao suffered a long-term leg injury that forced her to the sideline for years and made her miss most of China's matches in Athens, where the team recaptured the Olympic title after a 20-year wait.

(CRI January 3, 2008)