As he continues his recovery from foot surgery, Mitchell Johnson contends the Indian Premier League is the perfect preparation for a return to international cricket.

Johnson has been out of action since going under the knife in December after sustaining a foot injury on a disappointing tour to South Africa.

The 30-year-old reveals he is making promising strides in his bid to return to fitness.

"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," he told Sportal.

"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."

The left-armer is eyeing Australia's limited overs tour to England in June and July and the Twenty20 World Cup in September as the stages on which he will mount his bid to once again be one of the world's best bowlers.

However, before then Johnson will turn out in the Indian Premier League after being bought by the Mumbai Indians $300 000 in Saturday's auction. In previous years, Johnson has turned down the chance to play in the tournament in order to be best prepared for international duty, a situation which is reversed this year.

"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," he explained.

"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."