China's men's national team are training in Kunming for their upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Qatar set for Tuesday. The team's morale was boosted, as key defender Zhang Chengdong was back in training after recovering from injury.

Zhang skipped several training sessions in the past few days due to a calf problem.

But the Beijing Guoan defender looked healthy during practice.

Tuesday's match will be the official debut for new coach Marcello Lippi who took over the reins of the national team last month.

The Italian will guide the squad through their six remaining qualifying matches.

To meet the needs of the qualifiers, Qidong Stadium in Kunming was fully renovated, and I am told the condition of the grass is superb.

Lippi will have his work cut out for him, as China managed just a single point in four matches under former coach Gao Hongbo, and sit last in group A.