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Oscar prepares for CSL comeback after eight-match ban for brawl

Oscar will return to the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Sunday evening after serving an eight-game ban for his side's crucial meeting with Tianjin Quanjian.

The former Chelsea man, whose €60 million transfer in January set a new Asian transfer record, was handed the suspension in June.

He was adjudged to have instigated a brawl during SIPG's 1-1 with Guangzhou R&F. Since then, SIPG have won just three of the six CSL matches that Oscar has missed.

The 26-year-old returned to action for his club on Thursday evening in the Chinese FA Cup as SIPG overturned a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of their quarterfinal meeting with Tianjin with a 4-0 win that sets up a meeting with league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande in the semifinals.

Oscar was on the scoresheet for SIPG, while fellow Brazilian Hulk scored twice as Andre Villas-Boas' side keep their attempt to win the treble on track.

SIPG are also due to face Guangzhou in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League later this month.

The Shanghai giants are in second place in the CSL standings, one point behind Guangzhou and five ahead of Fabio Cannavaro's Tianjin Quanjian.

Oscar's ban was the second time this season that the Chinese Football Association punished a player who has made international headlines for indiscipline.

Shanghai Shenhua's Qin Sheng was banned for six months in March for stamping on the foot of Tianjin Quanjian's Belgium international Axel Witsel in a game broadcast internationally.