The Charlotte Bobcats have revealed that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is close to being able to return from a broken hand.

The small forward fractured his left hand last month during the team's defeat to the Dallas Mavericks.

Coach Steve Clifford told reporters: "Next weekend we're at Minnesota, at Chicago, and we're hoping to have him back after that."

After the weekend, the Bobcats are due to host the New York Knicks on January 14.