Rita Yuan Gao is hoping her Chinese links will help Scotland retain a place in the world’s top 20 at the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou next month.

The nine-strong squad heads for China this weekend for a preliminary training camp followed by the Cup round-robin matches against the Ukraine, India and Australia and Rita, now involved as Dan Travers’ assistant coach, departed in confident mood.

Chinese-born Rita was a member of the Scotland team that soared to 19th place when the Sudirman Cup was last staged at the Scottish National Centre at Scotstoun in Glasgow two years ago.

“Hopefully, we can do even better this time,” she said. “I think we have a good chance because it is a strong, young team.

“It’s great to have Emma Mason back from injury and with Imogen Bankier and Jillie Cooper it means we have a very strong women’s doubles line-up.

“The only disappointment is that Watson Briggs is unavailable because of his university exams. But it means we have brought in a great new young player in Paul Van Rietvelde. It will be a great experience for him.

“Paul played at the European Junior Championships last month and this is now another big step up.”

The Championships take place from May 10-17 and the full Scottish line-up is Susan Hughes (Glasgow), Linda Sloan (Glasgow), Emma Mason (Edinburgh), Imogen Bankier (Glasgow), Jillie Cooper (Edinburgh), Kieran Merrilees (Glasgow), Gordon Thomson (Glasgow), Thomas Bethell (Livingston) and Paul Van Riervelde (Longniddry)