Knicks' Stoudemire cleared for practice

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NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Injured New York Knicks forward-center Amar'e Stoudemire is expected to return to practice Tuesday, Coach Mike Woodson says.

Woodson told the New York Post the all-star is set to be cleared for practice as a major step in his rehabilitation process following Nov. 1 debridement surgery on his left knee.

"He's moving along in a positive way," Woodson told the newspaper Monday. "Everything is going according to plan. We just haven't had any time to get some practice time. Hopefully tomorrow we will get practice time and we'll see where he is."

The Post reported the first-place Knicks were hoping for a late-December return for their high-scoring star.

"After that first practice, we have to weigh how he feels the next day," Woodson said. "That's the whole key. If he's sore the next day, we'll have to back off until we gradually get him where we need to have him."