The Reds keeper has revealed that he now expects to be fit for pre-season training.
Kirkland said: "Hopefully I'll be back and ready to start pre-season training along with the rest of the lads. I want to be standing there on the first day ready to get into it.
"It's going to be a tough time, it's hard work when you're injured and it's probably tougher on the body than when you're actually playing. But I'm looking forward to that day."