The Milwaukee Bucks are hopeful that Khris Middleton will be available to return from his hamstring tear in early- to mid-February.

Middleton suffered the injury in September and the Bucks initially projected a six-month absence. 

Middleton told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last month that he always believed he'd be back at some point this season.

"But the way this team is playing, I'm not going to rush," Middleton told the newspaper in January.

Middleton is expected to be kept on a minutes restriction as he eases way his back from the injury.