Beijing - 2003 volleyball World Cup MVP Zhao Ruirui may come back from a serious injury later this year in time for the 2008 Olympic Games selection, said a senior medical officer for the national teams on Friday.

Zhao, Asia's tallest spiker, suffered a recurrent broken bone in her right leg minutes into her first Athens Olympic Games match in 2004 and has been sidelined since then.

"Her rehabilitation has been under the supervision of a group of medical experts and goes well now," said Li Guoping, chief medical officer of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

"In addition, she is gaining back her confidence too," Li said.

"So it is hopeful for her to come back later this year," he added. It is believed that China will start the selection of the athletes for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by the end of the year.

Zhao reported to the Chinese women's team training camp in February, only to find out that her fragile bone was yet able to endure hard training. Then her training intensity was decreased according to suggestions of medical experts and her expected return at the Grand Prix in August was postponed.

"There is an old saying in China regarding to the recovery of bone fracture, that is, you need 100 days to recover from a broken bone. But in Zhao's case, things are very different," he said.

Zhao first broke her bone during training four months ahead of Athens Olympic Games. When she turned up on the Athens volleyball court, everyone thought she was fit.

"But her injury was a special kind and can not be cured through normal methods. It will take her a much longer time to recover, which we came to realize gradually," he said.