“If it was up to me I would be back this week, but I am hoping to be back by the Victory game,” the goalkeeper said.
Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, who is returning from a fractured cheekbone, has already increased his training load since returning to the training track this week.
The 21-year old returned to training on Sunday and was scheduled to undertake light duties this week with a hope to step it up next week.
“It is fantastic to get back out there with the boys and I have had good sessions,” Birighitti told Jets TV.
“It is supposed to be light duties and I was still a week away from diving and contact but this morning I was diving, so I am pushing myself as much as I can.”
Immediately following the Round 7 incident where he collected the knee of Wellington Phoenix-s Jeremy Brockie, Birighitti admitted his recovery is as much physical as it is mental.
“I thought about wearing a mask but I don-t want to wear a mask because it shows a team I am worried about the injury,” he said.
“I have been keeping active, trying to get my mind off it and trying the best I can to forget about it.
“At the end of my day it is my job and I will put my body on the line no matter what.
“If it happens again, it happens again; that is my job to keep the ball out of the net and I will keep doing that.”
Birighitti has targeted a return in Round 13 against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
“If it was up to me I would be back this week, but that is up to the medical staff, and I am hoping to be back by the Victory game,” he said.
“I feel good, the body feels good and I will definitely come back stronger.”
