WSJ: Steve Jobs returns in a few weeks ... or sooner?

The Wall Street Journal reported last night that Steve Jobs was well on his way to recovery and should return to work in late June, as scheduled.  Interestingly, Apple's directors have been in direct contact with his doctors to get first-hand accounts of his condition.  The Wall Street Journal spoke to someone who has seen Jobs in the past few weeks.

While Mr. Jobs has been on sick leave, some Apple directors have gotten weekly updates about his medical condition from the CEO’s physician, according to a person familiar with the matter. Mr. Jobs’s recovery “is coming along” and he is on schedule to return to work later this month, said this person, who has seen Mr. Jobs in recent weeks. 

"He was one real sick guy,'' added this person. "Fundamentally he was starving to death over a nine-month period. He couldn't digest protein. [But] he took corrective action.''

While he was starving, Apple's CEO was doing a great job as Apple's spokesman, keynoting events like last year's WWDC and shepherding the release of the iTunes App Store.  The App Store has turned out to be one of Apple's biggest recent innovations, which has been copied by just about every technology and communication company in the world.

Conversely, Apple has been quiet lately.  They've had two events since Jobs took leave.  Their final Macworld with Phil Schiller as speaker was lackluster and the recent iPhone 3 software developers event left Apple fans wanting for more.

So the inevitable question: Will Mr. Jobs make an appearance at this week's WWDC?  It isn't fair to expect him to come off leave early, but it is impossible not to wonder if he'll make a cameo.

Speculation is mounting among Apple’s business partners and analysts about whether Mr. Jobs will make an appearance at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference next week — particularly because he is known for making surprise announcements at events.

Another interesting tidbit: Apple's PR for the event said:

A team of Apple executives, led by Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the keynote.

That certainly leaves the door open for a "One more thing" entrance by Mr. Jobs, carrying a new tablet PC or the "next greatest thing".

I'll be live blogging the events as they occur.