TOKYO, March 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Yokohama F Marinos striker Tatsuhiko Kubo could be back in action as early as next week after returning from a slipped disc injury that has sidelined the Japan international since October.

    Although Kubo is likely to miss the Marinos' AFC Champions League Group F opener against Chinese FA Cup holder Shandong Luneng on March 9, Marinos interim coach Seigo Ikeda said that he could return for their J. League clash at Cerezo Osaka three days later.

    Kubo was initially expected to return from the injury only in April so the news is a major boost for the Marinos, who is lookingto claim glory on two fronts this year despite an extensive injurylist.

    In addition to chasing its third consecutive J. League championship, the club is also eager to qualify for the FIFA Club World Championship, to be played in Yokohama in December, by winning the AFC Champions League.

    Its hopes has been dampened though by injuries to South Korean striker Ahn Jung-hwan as well as forward Daisuke Sakata and central defender Naoki Matsuda.

    Newly-signed striker Hideo Oshima, who netted a league-leading 22 goals for J2 side Montedio Yamagata last year, is also doubtfulafter picking up an injury to his left foot during the Marinos' Super Cup defeat at Tokyo Verdy last weekend.

    The Yokohama side kicks off the defence of its J. League title against Japan's other AFC Champions League representative, Jubilo Iwata, this weekend. Enditem