体坛英语新闻：New Jersey Nets' Yi expects to return to practice this week, play against Timberwolves

WASHINGTON,Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- New Jersery's Chinese forward Yi Jianlian says he is ready to resume his NBA career and play Wednesday against Minnesota Timberwolves.

    Yi showed up in Monday's practice with team mates, after the knee and lip injury have deprived him of 24 games since Nov. 2. Nets head coach Kiki Vandeweghe said Yi was eager to return to game action and the team would make a right judgment concerning when to let him return.

    "I'm feeling good," said Yi, "I am ready for the game. I'm ready. One more practice, I'll be fine."

    Yi has missed chunks of time in all three of his NBA seasons. On Nov. 2, he suffered knee injury when he seems to be getting his career in gear and then on Dec. 5 he was elbowed in the mouth at practice by team mate Seam Williams, opening up a gash inside his upper lip that required 50 stitches to repair.

    New Jersey Nets had a disappointing season as the team broke a record by starting the season 0-18. By far they have improved to 2-28.