Former China captain Zheng Zhi cannot wait to get stuck in again for English Championship side Charlton Athletic when his lengthy injury layoff runs its course.

The international midfielder who goes by the nickname ZiZi has not played since picking up a groin injury during the Aug 8-24 Beijing Olympics.

He was expected to return to club action at the end of last month but so far has not even made an appearance with the reserves.

"I cannot wait for my first game," he said. "It's been tough over the past few months. I'm always eager to get on the pitch but I can't. It's torture."

Zheng said his body was patching itself up nicely and he was already match-fit.

"Now I'm feeling good. My groin doesn't hurt anymore. It actually feels stronger," he said.

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson hinted last week that after returning to full training a fortnight ago, Zheng could see match action for the reserves against Lewes FC today.

"When someone has been out a long time, you need to monitor them in training and ZiZi has found it tough this week," Parkinson said.

"He has done all right, but he really needs another week and possibly a spell in the next reserve game.

"The injury is absolutely fine; it's just getting used to being out there again. He has had four months out - which is double the amount of inactivity a player usually has in the summer.

"It's going to take time but I'm expecting ZiZi, with his athleticism, to come back quicker than most."

The Addicks have collected four points from their last two matches but amassed a 16-game winless streak before that which has kept them rooted to the bottom of England's second division.

Playmaker Zheng hopes he can feed Charlton's strikers enough balls to see the team race back up the league and out of the dangerous relegation zone.

Giving a boost to his return, Zheng was recently nominated for an award in recognition of his contribution to the local British community.

The Big Ben Award, organized by the British Chinese Youth Federation, pays tribute to the top 10 Outstanding Chinese Young Persons in the UK. The final list will be released by end-July.

It is the latest honor for the 28-year-old, who was invited to 10 Downing Street to meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in January 2008 before Brown headed to China for a diplomatic visit.

Zheng, who has 10 goals in 59 appearances for Charlton, became the first Chinese to score in the FA Cup last season. He is also China's top goal-scorer in English soccer.

(China Daily Feburary 26, 2009)