Hatton was taken the distance by Phillips

The Mancunian underwent surgery on a badly gashed eye following his last title defence against American Vince Phillips in April.

Promoter Frank Warren said he was still weighing up the options for Hatton's next fight, which will take place in Manchester.

Hatton could make the 10th defence of the lightly-regarded WBU belt he won by knocking out Canada's Tony Pep at Wembley in March 2001.

Warren said: "We are talking to two American fighters at the moment but I don't want to name them in case it jeopardises the negotiations."

I had the best possible job I could have had done on it - it's fantastic Ricky Hatton on the treatment to his gashed eye

The other alternative is a fight for the more prestigious WBC title.

That hinges on whether Kostya Tszyu goes ahead with his plan to move up to welterweight and vacates the title.

Warren would try then match 24-year-old Hatton with Italy's former European champion Gianluca Branco.

He said: "We will just have to wait and see what unfolds.

"But we are hoping that by sometime next year Ricky will hold two world titles and may be looking to fight for a third one."

Whoever he fights, Hatton insists he will be ready and he does not expect any more problems with his repaired right eye.

He said: "I had the best possible job I could have had done on it - it's fantastic."

Witter is still keen to face Hatton

The options under consideration for Hatton's next fight have ruled out Bradford's Junior Witter.

His long-awaited challenge to Hatton, originally proposed as the last sporting event at Manchester City's Maine Road ground before it closes, has now been put on hold.

Warren claimed Witter had failed to impress on American TV in his last fight, saying: "He isn't out of the equation, but it isn't the next fight.

He will now aim Witter, the number one WBO title contender, at the winner of that organisation's light-welterweight title fight between champion DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah.

Judah outpointed the Bradford man last July.

Warren added: "The winner must defend against Witter within 90 days."