China's 'Flying Man' may skip worlds, says coach

Don't expect miracles from Liu Xiang, is the message being sent out by senior athletics officials as China's star hurdler recuperates from a recent Achilles' operation in Houston, the adopted home of fellow Shanghai native, NBA all-star Yao Ming.

Liu will struggle to return to his best form in the first half of this year despite the fact that his rehabilitation is going well, officials stressed, as they downplayed his chances at the upcoming IAAF world championships.

"If Liu were to get back in training in April, then he would still only have four months to prepare for the world championships in August, which is not enough time," said Luo Chaoyi, director of China's Athletics Administrative Center.