Switzerland's Reto von Arx is set to return to the NHL after being recalled by his club, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Von Arx was dropped from the world's top ice hockey league less than three months ago, but has now been given a second chance after the team's first-choice center, Alex Zhamnov, suffered a throat injury.

Zhamnov, who was hit by a puck during a game on Sunday, is expected to be out of action for around two weeks.

As a replacement for Zhamnov, Von Arx is likely to move from his normal position on the wing. But the 24-year-old Swiss international believes this could help his chances of winning a more permanent place in the side.

"It's difficult for me to hold my own on the wing against bigger and stronger players," he insisted on Thursday. "As a center I will have more room."

The Blackhawks' head coach, Alpo Suhonen, also expressed confidence when asked about Von Arx's return.

"Reto should be ready now," he said. "I am convinced that the large number of games and coach trips in the (American Hockey League) will have made him a different player."

Von Arx was set to the Blackhawks' lower league farm team, the Norfolk Admirals, after playing just 13 games for Chicago. His subsequent performances in the AHL have been generally impressive, with Von Arx scoring 12 goals in 32 games.

swissinfo with agencies

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