Lippi hands Chinese Super League star first call-up

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Shandong Luneng midfielder Jin Jingdao has been handed his first international call-up under coach Marcello Lippi after being selected in the China squad for their friendly fixtures with India and Syria this month.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season, having shown a fantastic level of consistency in the Chinese Super League to date.

Now, Jin hopes to help Lippi's men end their recent winless run when the team host India in Suzhou on October 13 before heading up to Nanjing for a friendly against Syria the following Tuesday.

Head coach Marcello Lippi has named his China squad for the upcoming clashes with India and Syria. /VCG Photo

Should Jin make an appearance, it would cap a sensational rise through China's footballing ranks for the Luneng rising star. The Yanbian-born midfielder captained China's U20s in his early years but struggled to make a consistent impact since he joined Luneng in 2013.

Now, he could prove to be something of a revelation in this hugely underperforming national side as he aims for a stellar finish to a breakthrough season.

For many, it will certainly be seen as a deserved call-up given Jin's output in both the attacking and defensive phases of play has contributed heavily to Luneng's brilliant form this term.

Sit right behind the striking pair of Graziano Pelle and Diego Tardelli as the right midfielder for the majority of the season, Jin's statistical performance has been nothing short of outstanding.

He is Luneng's third-most prolific attacking player, scoring six goals in 23 domestic appearances. He also tops the list for the player who has covered the most distance in the league this season and his tackles per game ranks second in the division.

Jin Jingdao has been rewarded for his impressive Chinese Super League form with a China call-up. /VCG Photo

The Chinese Super League new sensation has been duly rewarded by Lippi, who has also called his Luneng teammate Wang Tong and Beijing Guoan duo Piao Cheng and Chi Zhongguo into the party.

The capital giants' playmaker Zhang Xizhe is the most notable absentee as he paid a heavy price for his disastrous display during China's last two outings – a terrible defeat at the hands of Qatar and a dreadful goalless draw with minnows Bahrain.

Yu Dabao, who plays as a makeshift central defender in recent weeks for Guoan, is back in and Changchun Yatai midfielder He Chao also returns to the China fold after missing the last call-up.

The China squad in full

Guangzhou Evergrande: Zeng Cheng, Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting, Li Xuepeng, Zheng Zhi, Gao Lin, Yu Hanchao

Shanghai SIPG: Yan Junlin, Yu Hai, Wu Lei

Tianjin Quanjian: Zhang Lu, Liu Yiming, Zhao Xuri

Guangzhou R&F: Xiao Zhi

Shandong Luneng: Wang Tong, Jin Jingdao

Changchun Yatai: He Chao

Beijing Guoan: Yu Yang, Piao Cheng, Chi Zhongguo, Yu Dabao

Jiangsu Suning: Wu Xi

Tianjin Teda: Mirahmetjan Muzepper