It’s not a matter of if, but when. Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson has been told by owner James Dolan in recent days the club plans to bring him back for next season, according to two people familiar with the situation.

As expected, Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald recommended Woodson’s return and Dolan was on board, realizing the 3-1 first-round deficit was not the coaching staff’s fault because of a spate of injuries.

The Knicks will not announce Woodson’s return until after the season, once a new contract — possibly for three years — is hammered out.

Woodson yesterday denied a published report the Knicks already had started negotiations with him and agent Joe Glass.

“No, I have not,’’ Woodson said. “It’s not true. Not at all.’’

-- Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post