ISAIAH Washington is ex pected to return to “Grey’s Anatomy” next season – but not as a regular, a published report now claims.

“He will not be back as a series regular,” a source tells Us Weekly, adding that Washington “could possibly show up for a few episodes” next season.

Washington’s status on ABC’s hit hospital drama has been in question since last fall, when he used a gay slur against co-star T.R. Knight during an on-set fight with another “Grey’s” co-star, Patrick Dempsey.

“The cast – especially the women – just don’t like him,” a source told Us Weekly.