Pleumjit Thinkaow is ready to return to action on Friday when Thailand face the Dominican Republic in the third and final weekend of the World Grand Prix preliminary round at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.
Kiattipong Radchatakriengkai.
The 30-year-old missed all three matches in the second preliminary round in Hong Kong after getting injured during training.
Coach Kiattipong Radchatakriengkai said on Thursday Pleumjit would play against the Dominicans in their opening game of Pool G.
“She will definitely play but may not be in the starting line-up,” Kiattipong said.
Pleumjit’s return will be a boost for Thailand who lost all their three matches in Hong Kong without the popular star.
World No.12 Thailand have two points from six matches with only one win against Serbia, and are currently last in the 12-team elite group.
Kiattipong will make some changes with libero Wanna Buakaew and setter Pornpun Guedpard set to start against the Dominicans, who are one place and one point ahead of Thailand.
In their previous two meetings at the annual tournament, Thailand lost 3-1 in 2008 and won 3-0 in 2012.
Defending champions Brazil and the USA, who have won 14 Grand Prix titles among them, will meet in the other Pool G match today.
Nine-time winners Brazil are 12-8 against the Americans.
Brazil are leaders in the preliminary round with 18 points from six wins while the USA are sixth on nine points with a 3-3 record.