Rockets center Yao Ming has vowed to return to the court in the wake of major foot surgery.

"The [X-ray] picture looks good. The bones heal well," Yao told a Houston television station.

The center added that there is no chance that he will play this season.

"The answer is no. You don't want to rush it, because they want it to totally heal this time. I have been in this situation enough," Yao said.

He underwent surgery in May to repair a hairline fracture in his left foot suffered late in a playoff game against the Lakers.