Bulls Forward Andres Nocioni, who has missed 27 of the team's last 28 games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, believes he is ready to return.

"I'm going to play Friday," Nocioni declared Tuesday.

Team physicians might have a say in whether the ever upbeat and hyper forward suits up for the home game against the Nets.

After experiencing no pain following his first day of running and receiving clearance to participate in Wednesday's shootaround in Auburn Hills, Mich., his return is near.

"I probably could play [Wednesday against the Pistons], but we want to wait a little more and work with the team a little more," Nocioni said. "I think I can play some minutes Friday. Not too many, but some."