Randy Stackman of Waymoresports.com reports: Despite the pleas from Vince Carter that he is ready to go, he has another roadblock ahead: Lenny Wilkins.

"I'm going to guard him against himself," said Raptors head coach Lenny Wilkens yesterday.

Carter practiced with the club yesterday for the first time since being forced out of a Nov. 2 game against Houston with a quadriceps tendon strain in his left knee.

He didn't go at full steam in the workout at the Air Canada Centre practice facility and a cautious Wilkens is saying he could return in a week, possibly even sooner.

Carter said yesterday he's felt ready to go for the past 2 1/2 weeks, but Wilkens made it clear he's the one holding the reins on his prized thoroughbred, who did not make the trip to Philadelphia for today's tilt against the 76ers.

"I have to make the call," said Wilkens.

"The doctors can say, `Yes, they're ready to go.' And he can say it.

"But I've got to watch him in practice. And when I'm satisfied, that's when it will happen."

Next Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks is being mentioned as Carter's likely return date.