Thomas could be ready to go on Saturday

Six weeks and a day after surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm, Tyrus Thomas was scheduled to return to full-contact practice today at the Berto Center. If all goes well, the 6-9 forward could be ready for game action as soon as Saturday against the New Orleans Hornets.

With their busy schedule and limited bodies because of injury, the Bulls will have only a light practice session today, but likely will match Thomas against rookies James Johnson and Taj Gibson and other bench players for some half-court action afterward.

''Maybe a little two-on-two and see how he feels,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said of Thomas. ''He's been doing some non-contact shooting stuff and moving around, but we'll add some contact and see how he feels. After that I'll have a better gauge of what we're thinking.''

The Bulls play Monday (vs. Sacramento at the United Center) and Tuesday (in New York), but it's unlikely Thomas will get into either game.

''I don't think so,'' Del Negro said. ''I probably wouldn't want to do that even if he feels great [today] just because he hasn't practiced. I want to make sure that's healed up, let him get hit a few times, let him be fatigued a little bit -- and let's be smart about it.

''In a perfect world, would I like that? Of course, but it's a long season -- and after Monday and Tuesday we have a few days before we play the day after Christmas, so that'll give him a couple of practices and just kind of get the soreness out and get him some conditioning.''