Athletics-Liu plans low-key track return from ankle injury

SHANGHAI, June 30 (Reuters) - Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang will ease back into competition at smaller meetings as he continues to recover from surgery on his injured ankle, the former Olympic champion's coach said on Tuesday.

Liu underwent surgery on a damaged Achilles tendon at the end of last year and had hoped to mark his return at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix in September, but the former 110 metres hurdles world record holder is now expected to alter those plans.

"From what we can observe from the current situation, we can say that Liu Xiang is generally recovering well," Sun Haiping told a news conference.

"But if he wants to take part in big international meets or important competitions, he is not able to do so under his current conditions," the coach added, ruling out the possibility of Liu defending his world championship title in Berlin in August.

"If his injury recurs, we can say that his athletics career will end," Sun said, adding that Liu would start training normally once he had fully recovered. (Reporting by Roystan Chan; Writing by Melanie Lee; Editing by John O'Brien; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)