CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina junior forward Kennedy Meeks, who has missed the last seven games due to a bruised bone in his left knee, is expected to practice on Wednesday and could return to action as early as Saturday’s game at Syracuse, according to Roy Williams.

Williams confirmed during his live radio show on Monday night that Meeks has been fully cleared by UNC’s medical staff and is ready to work back into the lineup.

“The plan is to try to get him through a little bit of practice [on Wednesday],” Williams said. “A little bit more on Thursday, and if he can go the full practice and go up and down the court on Friday, then it will be my decision whether to play him because of how efficient he is. But, at least, if he can do those things health-wise, he will be able to play on Saturday.”

Meeks participated in pregame warmups prior to UNC’s wins over Georgia Tech on Saturday and Florida State on Monday despite not having practiced since the program announced his injury on Dec. 14.

Meeks is averaging 12.3 points on 59.5 percent shooting and 7.4 rebounds in nine games this season. UNC has won all seven of its games in his absence.