Yao To Miss 2009 Season After Surgery

Yao will have surgery next week to repair the broken bone in his left foot and the Rockets said on their official site.

Houston Rockets' Chinese center Yao Ming is to undergo surgery on his foot injury and has been ruled out for the whole of next season.

Yao will have surgery next week to repair the broken bone in his left foot and the Rockets said on their official site that he would have to sit out the 2009-10 season.

"While no timetable has been set for his return to action, Yao is expected to be available for the team's training camp in 2010," said the Rockets.