Evgeni Plushenko plans to skip the 2016-2017 season but return in time for Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

Russia's two-time Olympic figure skating gold medallist Evgeni Plushenko has revealed he will miss next season but plans to return to the sport in time for Pyeongchang 2018.

The 33-year-old won Olympic gold medals in the singles at Turin 2006 and in the team event at Sochi 2014. 

He also won silver medals in the singles at Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010. 

"We’ll skip the season, keep an eye on the trends and make a decision concerning the next season," Plushenko told Russia's official news agency TASS.

"Right now my condition is good but I need to make a decision for the next big season.

"I see no sense in performing at the European and World Championships, 

"I have already taken part in many such competitions."

Evgeni Plushenko won his second Olympic gold medal in the team skating event at Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images
Evgeni Plushenko won his second Olympic gold medal in the team skating event at Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images

Plushenko was briefly suspended by the International Skating Union following his controversial defeat to the United States' Evan Lysacek for competing in skating shows, allegedly without permission, but was re-instated in time for Sochi 2014. 

There he competed only in the team event after withdrawing from the singles event because of injury. 

Plushenko announced he was quitting afterwards but rejoined Russia's national team in April 2015. 

"We are considering the Olympic Games, this is our main goal," he said. 

"But [coach Alexei] Mishin, the [Russian] Federation of Figure Skating and I will make the decision later. 

"We always decide together,"