Ramage tore 70 per cent of his cruciate ligament in the match against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in August, and Sam Allardyce has bought several defenders since.
Ramage Prays For Full Recovery!
The player was already under pressure for a new contract. He is hardly a youngster anymore at 23 and this injury has knocked him back to 'square one'.
Ramage: "I'm hoping for a new deal, of course.
Ramage: "I'm hoping for a new deal, of course.
"But the most important thing for me, and the only thing I'm focusing on now, is getting fit. The rest will take care of itself.
"The recovery's going really well, and I started work on the bike this week.
"That's a major step in the right direction and I've had no reaction to that so far.
"I hope that I can kick on and hopefully get back a little bit earlier than scheduled.
"I lost a lot of weight after my injury, and the manager was giving me some stick about that, but I'm slowly putting it back on.
"The manager takes notice of every player and is always asking how people are getting on. It's good for us to know that he takes such a keen interest in how we are progressing.
"Hopefully, once the injured lads get back fit, we can add to his selection problems. I hope to get back at the start to middle of March.
"I have that in my mind, whether it is earlier or later I don't know.
"Each week is another step up the ladder. It's been a major step to get on the bike."