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After a disappointing 2006, China's women's volleyball team is determined to make a fresh start as it prepares to defend its Olympic crown.

A number of high-profile players were cut from the squad announced earlier last month, prompting concern from fans that trying out inexperienced players so close to the Beijing Games was too risky.

China's leading volleyball official moved quickly to put these fears to rest.

"But that does not mean we have to gamble on youngsters after an unsuccessful season.

"It's true that some of the new faces in the team only have two or three years' competition at their clubs.

"But they have great potential and we have set specific training plans for them. Apart from what's left of 2007, we also have five months of training and competition in 2008. We will do everything possible to lift them to a new level."

The team became national heroes after their dramatic triumph over Russia in the final at the 2004 Athens Games.

Some of the shine has since been taken off their achievement by the slump that followed, however.

The team could only manage 5th at the world championships and grand prix series last year.

They were beaten five times out of eight by powerhouses Russia, Italy and Brazil last year, and even lost to Germany and the Netherlands for the first time in their history.

These setbacks forced the coach and officials to make some changes.

The biggest is the return of veteran spiker Zhang Yuehong, who smashed the winning shot in Athens. If she can hold down her place she will become the oldest player in Chinese volleyball history to appear at the Olympics, aged 32.

"Zhang has been impressive in the domestic league. She is fit and in form. I do not think her age will be a problem for her," head coach Chen Zhonghe said. "If she keeps her hot form in training and competition, there is no reason she won't be at the 2008 Games."

After the national team's stuttering performances in 2006, it was little surprise that Chen recalled the inspirational Zhang.

Powerful teenager Wang Yimei still needs time to polish her skills, while spiker Chu Jinling lost her form and has since been dropped.

Apart from veteran Zhang, the new players are all relatively green, with inexperienced setters Wei Qiuyue and Han Xu looking to step in for Feng Kun as she recovers from surgery in the United States.