(Associated Press)

Thaddeus Young expects to be in the 76ers’ starting lineup, and Spencer Hawes is “hoping to” get clearance to play Friday night against visiting New Orleans.

Young, who returned to the team in Wednesday’s loss at Orlando, came off the bench in that game. It was his first appearance in four games, after being away since Nov. 18 for personal reasons. Young hadn’t come off the bench for the Sixers since May 26, 2012, in an Eastern Conference semifinal series against Boston.

“Probably going to be back in the starting lineup tonight,” Young said at Friday morning’s shootaround. “(Being a reserve) is not something I want to go back to. I’d rather start games off in the game. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back out there, getting in the flow of the game.”

Hawes has missed two straight with left knee soreness. He said he hasn’t had an MRI on the knee, which he tweaked a week ago against Milwaukee, but said he “felt pretty much normal” while running around at the morning shootaround.

“I’ll go through the stuff before the game and, if it’s OK, I’m ready to go,” Hawes said. “Sitting out is the worst. They are good seats, but it’s a terrible feeling. You want to be out there with your teammates.”