Ryan Lochte and Chad le Clos look forward to Michael Phelps' comeback
Fellow American and South African rival are keen to again compete against the 18-time Olympic winner when his ban ends in April
Ryan Lochte and Chad le Clos have welcomed the news that banned Olympic legend Michael Phelps will return to the pool next August.
The 22-time Olympic medallist was banned from competition for six months by USA Swimming in October after being charged with drunk driving.
He misses the sport, he misses the excitement of being on the blocks and racing the best people on the blocks
But French swimming federation president Francis Luyce confirmed the 18-time Olympic gold medallist will compete in the short-course meet at Chartres-Paris on August 15 and 16.
Lochte and fellow American Phelps are long-time friends and rivals, and the 11-time Olympic medallist said: "There was no doubt in my mind [he would be back again]. I knew for a fact he was going to come back.
"He misses the sport, he misses the excitement of being on the blocks and racing the best people on the blocks. Then he got suspended, but I know he is in the water right now training and when he comes back he is going to be coming back!"
After the ban, Phelps, 29, also agreed he would withdraw from the United States team for the World Championships (50m) in Kazan, Russia, in August.