China coach Zhu Guanghu has thrown an international lifeline to midfielder Li Tie, naming him in a 22-man squad for Wednesday's Asian Cup warm-up match against Thailand. The 29-year-old Sheffield United player was dropped for the March friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan but has been recalled in the absence of several first-choice players in European leagues.
Defensive stalwart Li Weifeng of Shanghai Shenhua and prolific Shandong Luneng striker Li Jinyu, are also in the squad announced on the Chinese Football Association Web site.
China squad:
Li Leilei, Jiao Zhe, Li Jinyu, Han Peng, Zhang Yaokun, Yan Song, Chen Dong, Li Mingyi, Xu Yunlong, Zhang Shuai, Li Weifeng, Du Wei, Jiang Kun, Cao Yang, Yang Jun, Hao Junmin, Wang Dong, Zhao Junzhe, Xin Feng, Qu Bo, Li Tie, Shi Jun.