Ellington had surgery on a troublesome shoulder injury 48 hours after Wigan clinched promotion to the Premier League six weeks ago, and today was given the the green light to begin light training as he bids to be in the starting blocks for Latics' top-flight challenge.
"I'll just be doing weights and strength work to begin with, but I'm on target to play in our last couple of pre-season games, and, fingers crossed, I'll be ready for the start," said Ellington.
"When I had the shoulder done there was a chance I might have had to sit out the first couple of weeks, but the doctor is really pleased with my progress, so I might get a full game in before the end of July."
Ellington, the championship's top-marksman in 2004-5, has endured a similar shoulder problem before and that required surgery two years ago.
"I missed the first three or four games then, and I didn't really get a pre-season but it will be different this time because I'm ahead of schedule.
"Last season I had to play for part of it with a shoulder strap to stop the shoulder popping out again, and although I played through the pain at times, it made me a bit more wary about going into challenges and jumping for headers with my arms out.
"It got to me a bit and in a way it ruined my season, although I was happy how it worked out with Wigan winning promotion and I finished with a good goal tally."
Ellington is already licking his lips at the prospect of Wigan's opener against the champions.
"All the boys were desperate to play a really big club in the first game, and nobody was disappointed.
"It really is an incredible fixture to start with, and it is going to be weird playing against John Terry and Frank Lampard, guys you've just seen on the television in the past, but what a challenge for every one of our squad.
"I can't wait for the season to start – and I bet the fans are so excited too."
Manager Paul Jewell, meanwhile, has denied speculation that he is ready to make former Spurs and Wolves striker Steffen Iversen his first summer signing.
The Norwegian is keen to resurrect his career in the Premiership but Jewell said: "There's nothing in it."
* Former Latics boss Bruce Rioch is back in football four years after leaving Wigan.
Rioch, who has been out of work since he left the JJB Stadium in February 2001, has been appointed head coach of Danish Super League outfit Odense.
Rioch said: "It's great to be back, and it's been quite a while since I was involved as a manager with Wigan, and maybe some people assumed they had seen the last of me.
"But I was waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
"I've had a few offers over the years but none of them really appealed to me – but this was a fresh challenge.
"Most of Denmark's top players tend to play abroad these days, but the standard over here is pretty good and I'm joining one of the leading clubs in the country."
Rioch's son, Gregor, is manager of Danish First Division outfit Koge.
Odense is Rioch's eighth managerial appointment following spells with Bolton, Arsenal, Norwich and Latics.