'He's only played 30 minutes in England and 50 minutes with us since his injury'
China coach Arie Haan will resist the temptation to throw Everton midfielder Li Tie straight into the fray for tomorrow's do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.
Haan recalled the 27-year-old for the first time since the England-based midfielder broke his leg during a training-camp accident in Sanshui, Guangdong, in February, but said using him from the start would be asking too much.
'He still needs some time to rediscover his co-ordination,' the Dutchman said.
'He's only played half an hour in England and 50 minutes with us since his injury. His ankle of course is still a little stiff too. He'll be in the squad, but surely he won't be starting. It's not good for him; it's a little too difficult, although he did give me a good impression in the 50 minutes he played.'
Those 50 minutes were in one of two training matches played against local Division One club Guangzhou Sunray's second team. China won 4-1 and 5-0, neither of which met the target set out by Chinese FA officials of six goals against Hong Kong to have a chance of overhauling Group Four leaders Kuwait's two-goal advantage.