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Evgeni Plushenko has been cleared by the ISU to compete as an amateur this season. (Getty Images)

By icenetwork.com

(06/13/2011) - After a year away from the competitive ice, Evgeni Plushenko, who won the Olympic gold medal in 2006 and claimed the silver in 2010, could be back on the podium as soon as the 2011-12 season.

The RIA-Novosti news agency reported that the International Skating Union has restored Plushenko's amateur status, which was revoked last year because of his participation in exhibition events without the federation's permission.

Sources confirm that Plushenko would like to compete at both the Cup of Russia and Russian nationals in the coming season as a probable tune up for a run at the 2014 Olympic Games in his home country of Russia.

Plushenko, who will be 31 at the time of the 2014 Games, is recovering from knee surgery and surely cheered his fans by updating his recovery via Twitter.

"I underwent knee surgery and had my meniscus cut a bit," he wrote. "And the good news is that I can compete now. I'll be back on track in two weeks."