In this Feb 16, 2020 photo, Espanyol's Chinese forward Wu Lei (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and RCD Espanyol at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville. (CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

BEIJING - Chinese best-known footballer Wu Lei can recover from COVID-19 in one week or two if the illness does not cause severe symptoms, said a Chinese expert.

If his symptoms remain mild, I don't think there is any need for him to return to China to receive treatment. He now needs quiet rest to recuperate

Jiang Weiping, Lung specialist, Shanghai Huadong Hospital

Wu, who plays for Spanish La Liga strugglers Espanyol, has been tested positive, and he is in self-isolation at home in Barcelona with mild symptoms, the Chinese Football Association said last Saturday.

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Wu can regain his health fast if his symptoms do not turn severe, Jiang Weiping, a lung specialist from Shanghai Huadong Hospital, was quoted as saying by Shanghai-based Great Sports Channel on Tuesday.

"If his symptoms remain mild, I don't think there is any need for him to return to China to receive treatment. He now needs quiet rest to recuperate," said Jiang, who has been dispatched to Wuhan and working there on COVID-19 patients for 53 days.

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"Considering his fitness, I think he can recover in one week or two," he said.

Espanyol's Chinese forward Wu Lei celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and RCD Espanyol at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on Feb 16, 2020. (CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)