Houston Rockets center Yao Ming broke his left foot in the first quarter when Mehmet Okur of the Utah Jazz stepped on it during a game on the Jazz's home turf on Monday.

It has been confirmed that Yao will miss the rest of the NBA season.

Yao will go under the knife for the second time this season on Friday when a pin will be inserted to help the bone heal, according to an announcement posted yesterday on the Rockets official website.

The statement also said Yao is expected to push ahead with his rehab in order to play for the World Championship in August in Japan, but the injury could linger if it doesn't heal completely.

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said an MRI performed in Houston on Tuesday showed a fracture in the fifth metatarsal bone of Yao's foot.

"It can be fixed two ways," Dawson said. "You could just put a cast on it, but it takes forever. The thing most people do is to have surgery."

Dawson also told the press Yao's injury could take four to six months to heal.

Yao's NBA agent Zhang Mingji said the time necessary for Yao to heal may be "slightly exaggerated." "But I can't get more accurate information until the doctor's make a final diagnosis," Zhang said.

Zhang said Yao hoped to return to China as soon as possible to recuperate but is waiting for a green light from doctors.

More than four months' off the court may prevent Yao from playing in the FIBA World Championship in Japan, which begins August 19.

Without Yao, the Chinese National Basketball Team may have to give up hope of ascending to the medal round in the tournament.

Chinese Basketball Management Center vice director Hu Jiashi said the center is withholding comment on Yao's extended leave from basketball until the length of his recovery period has been confirmed.

"I think the Associated Press may have reported an inaccurate amount of time for Yao to heal," Hu said. "It should have been six weeks instead of six months."

(China Daily April 14, 2006)