Froch was due to return from surgery against Adamu

Froch was due to have defended against Charles Adamu on 22 September.

Instead, Froch, 29, plans to defend his British title against former world champion Robin Reid before challenging for Cristian Sanavia's European strap.

Froch is confident he will then be in a position to meet the winner of September's clash between WBC champion Mikkel Kessler and Joe Calzaghe.

Nottingham's Froch won the Commonwealth crown by beating Adamu on points in December 2004 and has defended it six times.

If Calzaghe manages to beat Kessler, I will happily knock him out instead Carl Froch

The rematch was due to be staged at the MEN Arena by Frank Warren after he outbid Froch's promoter Mick Hennessy.

The 29-year-old Nottingham fighter, who has won all 21 of his fights (17 by knockout), is currently recuperating after undergoing knee ligament surgery.

For that reason, a purse bid for the Reid fight, which was scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed.

Runcorn's Reid, 36, is a former WBC title-holder who has lost three subsequent world-title tilts, including a defeat to Calzaghe in 1999.

He outpointed American Jesse Brinkley in his last encounter in March.

606: DEBATE I think Calzaghe would have too much for Froch if he overcomes Kessler CT

Froch has been installed by the European Boxing Union as its mandatory contender and he is ranked number one by the WBC.

"Kessler's last mandatory defence was in March," said Froch. "That means he should have until next March to make another, which will tie in nicely.

"I can walk to the ring against Kessler as a European champion having cleared up business in the old-fashioned manner.