Mitchell Johnson is eyeing a return to international cricket in this winter's one-day series in England after making positive progress in his recovery from a long-term foot injury.

The left-arm paceman required surgery in December on a left foot injury he suffered on the tour of South Africa, which was expected to sideline him for five months.

Despite describing his layoff as frustrating, Johnson said it has refreshed him and made him more determined to get back to his devastating best.

Now the Australian spearhead expects to return to competitive cricket in mid April with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, which he said he would use to push his claims for international selection.

And after having his moonboot removed on Saturday, Johnson is hoping he can prove his worth to selectors in time for the England tour in June and July and September's Twenty20 World Cup.

"I don’t want to start looking too far ahead, but I do have those goals of wanting to play one-day cricket at that tournament," the veteran of 47 Tests said.

"I'm walking around, doing some gym stuff and a little bit of fitness as well. I think this month I'm doing a bit of power walking, just making sure I'm working on my foot right, so it's all very good."

"I've really enjoyed it [the layoff] ... it's been a positive break for me. I had Christmas at home and I hadn't had Christmas at home for about five years so it has freshened me up mentally and physically."

"In the last couple of weeks I've thought about what I want to do and I've got a plan of where I want to go. I'm looking forward to it. It's really exciting to have things in place now ...I want to play for Australia for the next five years."

Johnson said the chance to play in the IPL in April and May, which came after Mumbai claimed him for $300,000 in Saturday's auction, would help his recovery.

"It's a perfect opportunity for me coming back from injury to play the shorter form of the game to build up my bowling and hopefully be selected for Australia later in the year," the 30-year-old said.

"I'm very thankful to be picked up considering the team doesn't really know exactly when I'm going to be right."

"I'm still looking on track with everything to try to be there the second or third week of the tournament so fingers crossed everything is still going to plan by that stage."