Houston center Yao Ming has begun light workouts and said he expects to return to action in two to three weeks after surgery on an infected big toe.

Yao said the Dec. 19 surgery on his left foot relieved tremendous pain, but also said the prospect of surgery made him nervous about hurting his career.

"My toe before the surgery hurt me every time I step on the floor, particularly with the basketball shoes and the tape on my ankle," Yao told Houston television station KRIV.

Yao is now getting antibiotics via an IV in his left arm, and doctors plan to remove the IV in about a week, he said.
 
On Thursday night, Tracy McGrady scored a game high 34 points to lead the Houston Rockets to their second straight road win, 90-81 over the Cleveland Cavaliers .

(AP via China Daily January 6, 2006)