Orlando, Fla. ? Grant Hill isn’t the only one itching for a return to the Orlando Magic lineup.

Keyon Dooling and Kelvin Cato won’t be too far behind.

Hill will make his much-anticipated return Wednesday when the Orlando Magic face the Knicks in New York. Dooling and Cato should come a week to 10 days later, hoping to brighten the holiday season.

Dooling, a former Missouri star, was on the Magic’s practice floor Monday without the walking boot on his right foot, which has been bruised and inflamed, leaving him on the inactive list.

Hill hasn’t played this season after hernia surgery Oct. 31. Dooling has missed the past eight games with the same injury that plagued him during preseason. He reinjured that foot Nov. 25 in his only start of the season. Cato has missed the past two because of a right ankle sprain.

“It’s going to be fun when everyone is back,” said Dooling after a light workout Monday at the RDV Sportsplex. “Everyone brings a different dimension. There may be a short grace period when everything has to be fit back together, but then we’ll see the team that we were supposed to see. It’ll be good for all of Orlando.”

Hill will become the Magic’s starting small forward, moving Hedo Turkoglu back to his role in reserve. Dooling, who was the Magic’s most significant free-agent signee this summer, likely will serve as a backup to DeShawn Stevenson and Steve Francis in the backcourt. Cato, who was struggling to carve his role early this season after shoulder surgery this summer, will become the backup center again.

“We’ll go through another transitional phase, but it’ll be worth it to get guys back,” said Magic Coach Brian Hill. “Roles will change, adjustments will be made for the better.”

Dooling averaged 8.5 points and 2.3 assists in six games, giving the Magic a better defensive presence in reserve.

Dooling averaged 5.2 points and 1.8 assists with the Heat last season, leaving for Orlando because he anticipated a much more significant role.

“Coach Riley has won a few championships. He’s going to get more respect than the average coach, more respect than the superstar coaches even,” Dooling said.