Yao Ming said Thursday that he is still a few months from knowing if he will be able to play next season, but that "everything looks good" with his surgically-repaired left ankle, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Yao said he was encouraged by a medical check on Wednesday that showed his ankle improving from the stress fracture that required surgery and limited him to five games last season. He said he should know more about next season's prospect by August or September.

Yao, who will become a free agent on July 1, said he would like to remain with the Rockets.