Washington Wizards guard Larry Hughes, who has missed 19 games with a broken left wrist, says he is ready to play and expects to return to the lineup perhaps as soon as today against Miami at MCI Center.

"We'll see how it responds in the morning," coach Eddie Jordan said after Hughes participated in his second full-contact practice yesterday. "It might not even be a game-time decision. Maybe he'll feel all right in the morning and tell us that he's ready. He's ahead of schedule."

Whether he returns today against Miami or Tuesday at Utah, Hughes is expected to replace Mitchell Butler in the starting lineup.

"I'm more inclined to start him," Jordan said. "Mitchell is a real professional; he's real flexible. But he knows that ultimately when Larry is ready, Larry is going to be the starter."