Don Chaney described Antonio McDyess as being "ahead of the game" in his rehabilitation from left knee surgery, but the Knicks coach admitted yesterday that no one can say for certain when McDyess will return.

"I'm not that concerned in terms of when," Chaney said. "I've been told he will play. If he's not there for training camp, I'm not going to panic. I just want him back.

"He's getting a better bend in the knee, a lot further than anticipated. He's doing more than what the doctors wanted him to do at this point so he's feeling a lot better. He feels great. I talked to him last week. He's able to bend the knee more than 90 degrees."

When asked if McDyess will be available for training camp, Chaney, who had not spoken to the press for two months, replied: "I don't know. They say he's going to be ready to play. No one has really said when. I can't answer that."

McDyess had knee surgery in April, his third such procedure in the past 19 months. The veteran power forward missed all of last season and his status could influence the Knicks' plans as they prepare for Thursday's draft.