Steve Clifford has insisted that he is ready to return to his duties as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats just three days after having two stents placed in his heart.

The 52-year-old was forced to have the procedure on Friday after complaining of chest pain but he will be in charge of the Bobcats for their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

"I feel fine," Clifford told reporters. "I haven't had any pain, even minor pain, since the incident.

"Things worked out well. The doctors have me on a good plan and I'm going to follow it."

Clifford became Charlotte's head coach in May.