Yao averaged 22.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocked shots, 1.5 assists and 34.6 minutes in 56 starts this season, his fourth since being drafted first overall by the Rockets in 2002. The four-time All-Star was sidelined 21 games earlier in the season because of a toe injury and later on missed a game due to a sore calf.

Yao needed

Yao's return is greatly appreciated by the Chinese camp who addressed the matter with a sense of patriotism.

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) has released an official document titled "To learn from Yao's professionalism" on Wednesday to encourage the national team players in their build-up for the Worlds and December's Asian Games.

Kaslauskas said Yao's return is crucial to his side's gear up to the much-expected Worlds.

"For sure I expect him to come back," he said on Wednesday. "It will be very hard for us in Japan without Yao and veteran Li Nan."

The team is now in the midst of closed-door training before heading to Italy today for a series of warm-up tournaments.

China will play with the United States in Group D at the World Championships, together with Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy and Senegal.

The Chinese team is aiming for a top eight finish.