The one-time nine- stone domestic ruler suffered his first-ever stoppage defeat at the hands of Lee Selby in a doomed British and Commonwealth super-featherweight title challenge at the York Hall last December.

However, it's uncertain whether the Greenock boxer will return at 130lbs or make what would be a staggering drop, given he is now 28, down to super-bantamweight at 122lbs.

Promoter Alex Morrison confirmed: "John will make his comeback on my late spring public show, which is going to be in Glasgow, with the date still to be confirmed.

"At this stage we have not decided on what is the best weight for John to re-launch his career, but that will be addressed shortly between John, myself and, of course, his trainer Billy Nelson.

"But John is already back in training and very hungry to get back in action which will probably happen within the next six weeks and most probably at Gorbals Leisure Centre."

Despite the fact the Selby defeat was the ninth loss on his record, Morrison is confident that Simpson still has plenty to offer when it comes to the domestic title scene.

He said: "I think the frustrating thing about the Selby defeat was that John had just had his best round and had hurt Selby in the fourth.

"But John has been stung by that defeat, as you would imagine, with it being the first stoppage loss on his record, albeit by a body shot

"From the feedback I have already had from Billy Nelson, John has look very fired up in the gym and absolutely determined to get back on track. At 28, John is now at his peak and I am very confident he will come again.

"Anyone writing John Simpson off will do so at their peril."