The Villas midfielder says he has not just come to Newcastle for treatment, then will bugger off home in May.
Stephen Ireland - "We thought it would be a couple of weeks.
"But I went running outside [on Thursday] at a decent level and decent pace, and I reckon it could be by the end of next week hopefully.
"I've just got to do a few more sessions and then see how far I can push it. If it goes well then I could be back soon.
"I haven't got any specific game in mind. I've just got to take a day at a time really, because one day it could feel amazing and then the next day really bad.
"It's quite strange, but I have to see how I feel on a day-to-day basis."
"After two weeks at a club you want to be getting involved in the playing and training, but I'm not far away.
"I didn't come here just to get treatment - I came here to play. Thankfully things are getting right now and I'm almost there."