France midfielder Mavuba underwent an operation on his left knee at the end of January and expects to be fully fit for the last few matches of the campaign.
“I have reasonable hopes of being on the pitch at the end of April or start of May, for the final sprint to the line,” he said on the club website.
“I should be back for the ‘money time’,” he added using the English term. “And who knows – maybe I can score the famous goal that qualifies us for Europe.”
Mavuba was injured during the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final against St Etienne on January 15, undergoing surgery two weeks later.
“Since February 22 I have been in the second phase of recovery, which consists of a gradual return to physical activity,” he continued.
“If that passes without issue, I can return to strength and intensive cycle work. He idea is to see how my knee reacts.
“I am desperate to return because I miss playing terribly.”
After an indifferent start to the season, Lille have won their last five Ligue 1 matches and lie sixth, three points short of Marseille in third.
