HOUSTON (Texas) - HOUSTON Rockets centre Yao Ming, who has missed the past two National Basketball Association games with a knee injury, is looking at a Wednesday return to the lineup.

The giant Chinese centre practised with the Rockets on Monday but didn't play in their 104-98 loss to the New York Knicks.

Yao told the American media he wants to play in Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia.

'I feel good I can play Wednesday,' Yao said. 'Compared to yesterday (Sunday), I feel much better. I still feel a little funny in there. We'll take today off and another day and on Wednesday I think I'll have a good chance to play.'

'Hopefully, he'll be back in our next game,' Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. 'We don't want to push him.' Yao was injured in the opening quarter of a Friday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, after a knee on knee collision with centre Jeff Foster.

The 7ft 6in (2.29-metre) Yao is averaging 19.6 points and 9.5 boards this season. -- AFP