JAMIE McDonnell finally looks set to rubberstamp a long-awaited world title eliminator, the Free Press understands.
The Hatfield bantamweight is close to an agreement to face South African veteran Vusi Malinga in Sheffield in October.
McDonnell has faced a summer of uncertainty as confirmation over a bout with Mexico's Hugo Cazares this autumn failed to materialise.
But the 26-year-old is expected to confirm that he will face Malinga on the undercard of Kell Brook's latest bout at the Sheffield Arena on October 22.
Malinga is a former WBC international bantamweight champion and a WBC world title challenger.
Most recently, the 32-year-old failed in his bid to win the IBF title in June after coming out on the wrong end of a one-sided contest with Leo Santa Cruz.
