CHORLEY boxer Michael Jennings would have no qualms about fighting friend Craig Watson as he bids to regain the British welterweight title for the first time in five years.

Jennings suffered disappointment last week as he had to pull out of his British eliminator against Scottish fighter Gary McMillan, scheduled to take place in Glasgow on Saturday on Ricky Burns’ undercard, because of damaged ligaments in his hand.

But the 33-year-old expects that fight to be rearranged once he is back to full fitness and the winner will then face Watson for the British title.

Jennings has not held a Lonsdale belt since a shock defeat to Young Mutley in 2006, although he did go on to win the WBU world title and challenge Miguel Cotto for the more highly regarded WBO version.

The Chorley Lurcher remains keen for a rematch with Kell Brook, having lost a WBO world title eliminator to the Sheffield boxer in September, but a bout with Mancunian Watson looks more imminent if he can overcame McMillan.

“I don’t see why I can’t beat McMillan and Craig Watson and win the British title,” said Jennings.

“I’ve fought at a higher level before so hopefully I can get back to winning ways and get the belt.

“Craig Watson boxed really well to win the title against John O’Donnell recently and he is a mate of mine.

“I just know him through boxing and I always have a chat with him when I see him.

“But it’s business, isn’t it? That won’t be in my mind if I fight him.

“That’s what I’ve wanted, to fight for the British title.

“Hopefully I’ll get a new date for the McMillan fight. I should be ready by the end of May, maybe even April, I don’t know.

“I’d still like to fight Brook too, but I just want to win this fight and then we’ll see whether I fight for the British title or a rematch against Brook.”

Jennings has suffered wretched luck since his defeat to Cotto in February 2009, seeing bouts postponed on five occasions - with only two of them down to injuries on his part.

“It’s unbelievable the luck I’ve had, but this time it was my fault the fight was off,” he said.

“It was on the Ricky Burns show and it was going to be the main undercard fight on Sky. It would have been a belter.

“I ruptured the ligaments on a knuckle on my right hand on the last day of sparring.

“I didn’t want to say anything because I really wanted the fight, but in the end I realised I just couldn’t fight.

“I need to take four weeks off but I’ll still be in the gym .

“I’ll just have to use my other hand.”