John Terry has said that he hopes to be back on the field for Aston Villa at some stage in the next fortnight following two months on the sidelines.
The former Chelsea skipper has been out with a broken metertarsal sustained against Sheffield Wednesday in early November, which boss Steve Bruce revealed at the time would likely leave his side without the experienced centre-back for the remainder of 2017.
Terry has recovered well from the foot injury, though, and he could still play a part in the Villans' busy Christmas and New Year programme if all goes well.
"I'm on the verge of getting back fit at the moment. I'm back running and hoping to join the group next week so I can be ready before the New Year and if not then, hopefully after," he told Sky Sports News.
"I've really enjoyed it, it's been a real big learning curve for me. I want to go into management so seeing a different level as well has been an eye opener for me. The lads are great, the manager's fantastic so we just need to get promoted now.
"First thing's first, I want to get us up. That was my big thing. We're doing OK at the minute, there was a bit of a setback at the weekend losing to Derby, but there are so many games and they come thick and fast in the Sky Bet Championship as well."
Terry, a free signing from Chelsea in the summer, made 16 Championship appearances for Villa prior to sustaining the injury.