CHAN Peng Soon has his work cut out in getting his newly formed mixed doubles partnership with Toh Ee Wei up to speed ahead of their European outing next month.
The 33-year-old has to temporarily split from regular partner Valeree Siow as the national coaches want the latter to give priority to the women's doubles where she is ranked world No 92 with Low Yeen Yuan.
Valeree-Yeen Yuan, who reached the semi-finals of the Syed Modi International in India last month, will participate in the Swiss Open (March 22-27) and Orleans Masters in France (March 29-April 3) as part of their preparations for the Uber Cup finals in Bangkok in May.
But Peng Soon can't wait that long for Valeree to return, and he was given the 21-year-old Ee Wei as an alternative partner for the time being.
Seasoned campaigner Peng Soon, who is an Olympic silver medallist, relishes the challenge of guiding another youngster.
And Ee Wei has proved herself in her previous partnership with Choong Hon Jian: the duo won three titles last year: the Polish Open, Slovenian International and Australian Open.
Ee Wei had also won bronze at the World Junior Championships in Bilbao, Spain with Chen Tang Jie.
"I have started training with Ee Wei for a few days.
"Having to start from scratch again is a big challenge," admitted Peng Soon.
"We have just about three weeks to go before the Polish Open.
"Honestly, it's not going to be enough. We just have to prepare the best we can.
"But I always find joy in guiding the youngsters, no matter how challenging it is, especially if we could make things work and bring our partnership to a higher level.
"I remember I once partnered Cheah Yee See (after Goh Liu Ying was sidelined for a long period).
"We went from zero to being ranked (world) No 17.
"I look forward to accomplishing the same again," said Peng Soon.