CHANGCHUN -- China's top pair Shen Xue/Zhao Hongbo are likely to leave the national team temporarily after the World Championships in March, and they are not sure of a comeback for the Winter Olympics, said the duo here on Friday.

"We would like to temporarily leave the national squad after the World Championships in Tokyo, because we can hardly afford being in the team as we always feel nervous there," said Zhao after they took the leading position in the short program at the 6th Winter Asian Games."

"I am not young anymore, and if I stay in the national team for another three years before the Winter Olympics in 2010, I will be an antique," he added.

The 34-year-old Zhao suffered a serious rupture in his left achilles's tendon in August, 2005 and has gone through an operation before winning a bronze medal in the Turin Olympic Games in 2006.

"He was afraid of having another injury in his achilles's tendon, so we are going to have a rest for some time," said Shen, 29. "I cannot assure that we can come back for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, as it all depends on our form and physical conditions."

Shen/Zhao claimed consecutive titles in 2002 and 2003 World Championships.