Justin Timberlake may return to music this year.

The 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' singer has been concentrating on his acting career in the past few years - including a critically acclaimed appearance in Oscar winning film 'The Social Network' - but said he may return to the studio in 2011.

The singer told E!: "I think I may spend some time in the studio this summer. I'm unemployed right now.

"I haven't been hired for anything so I may hire myself to write some music - its right around the corner."

Justin's last album, 'FutureSex/LoveSounds', was released in 2006 and met with commercial and critical acclaim, selling over 100 million copies worldwide.

The 30-year-old star has since made brief forays into music, appearing as a guest star on Madonna's single '4 Minutes' in 2008, T.I.'s track 'Dead and Gone and Ciara's 'Love Sex Magic' in 2009.

Rapper Drake has also said he expects to make a track with the singer and actor, saying earlier this year: "Me and Justin Timberlake will probably have a song soon. I'm really excited about that, because I've wanted to work with him for a long time."

Justin also stars in three films set for release this year, 'Friends With Benefits', 'Bad Teacher' and 'Now'.