Newcastle United's Mark Viduka is poised to return in about two weeks as he continues to recover from an Achilles problem.

The Australian striker is expected to be back in time to face Stoke on April 11 according to interim manager Chris Hughton.

"He's still on rehab and he's still one that we're assessing," he said in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"We're hopeful he'll be back in two weeks - that is if he has no setbacks.

"Mark is one who - because of the type of player that he is - whatever period he'd back for, it will be a good thing.

"However quickly we can get him back, it's worth it because of the type of quality that he has.

"But we're also wary that it's a balancing act of being fit and being ready for the rigours of important games."