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LONDON — Coach Mike Woodson and Rasheed Wallace have played down suggestions that the Knicks forward may miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Wallace has not played since Dec. 15 because of a stress reaction in his left foot, and published reports late Wednesday suggested his season might be over.

But Woodson and Wallace dismissed the speculation as the Knicks took the court for a shootaround at the O2 Arena on Thursday before their game against the Detroit Pistons.

“He’ll play eventually — but not tonight,” Woodson said. The coach was then told of reports suggesting Wallace would miss the rest of the season. “That’s news to me. That’s not coming out of our camp.”

When asked whether Wallace was on the verge of retiring from pro basketball, Woodson said: “Absolutely not. He’s getting treatment and doing what’s asked of him, so we’re trying to get him back out on the floor.”

Wallace, who returned to the N.B.A. this season after more than two years away, has averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 14.6 minutes in 20 games this season. Woodson praised his toughness and defensive attitude.

Wallace was quick to dismiss the reports, telling reporters: “My season ain’t over. I’m going to be back. I was laid off for three years, so one little foot injury ain’t going to stop me. I’m good.”

Woodson also confirmed that guard Iman Shumpert would play no more than 15 minutes Thursday — and added that he was considering starting him. Shumpert has not played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee last April.

If he starts, which will be determined when Woodson talks with the medical team, he will do so alongside Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Chris Copeland and Carmelo Anthony.

“Iman is good to go — and there’s a chance we might start him, so we’ll see,” Woodson said. “He won’t play over 15 minutes. He’s restricted, but we’ll get him out there and see how he moves around and see what he’s got.

“We might play him in three-minute, four-minute spans, that’s about it, but three or four minutes is significant in terms of winning games. We’ll just see how he’s playing and gauge it that way.

“If I start him, it will be him and Kidd, probably Cope and then Melo and Tyson — I might go that way. I’ll talk with the doctors a little bit more before we get to game time and just see where we are.”

Woodson also confirmed that Chandler, an Olympic gold medalist on the same court last August, was struggling with sickness but was now ready to play.

“I’m feeling good, I’m excited to play,” Chandler said. “I’ve been resting and I’m excited to get out here later.”