SUNRISE, Fla. – Avalanche forward Marek Svatos practiced Saturday but remains questionable to play Sunday against the Florida Panthers.

Svatos, who has six goals and seven assists this season, has missed four games in a row because of a back injury suffered Dec. 9.

Though practice went well and his back felt better, Svatos did not sound optimistic about returning Sunday.

"I don’t know about that,’’ he said. "It will be up to the coaches and medical staff.’’

Coach Tony Granato said Svatos "is getting close’’ to returning and hinted that another night off could be in store.

"We want to make sure he’s 100 percent,’’ Granato said.

The Avalanche play again Tuesday before getting a three-day Christmas break.