Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg has suggested that Joakim Noah should return to the court against the Charlotte Hornets.

Noah has been battling knee soreness recently and was forced to miss Monday's 111-88 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

That decision was made after the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year had been drafted into the starting lineup to replace Nikola Mirotic, who has impressed as the starter at power forward early in the season.

Hoiberg told reporters that Noah will "hopefully" be ready to play against the Hornets, but he refused to confirm whether he would be on the bench.

Noah has averaged 2.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season.