SCOTT Quigg is returning to headline at the Manchester Arena.

Bury’s former world champion fighter will face Irishman Jono Carroll on March 7 with both men looking to close in on a title shot at super-featherweight.

A troublesome arm injury means Quigg has not fought since October 2018, the meeting with Carroll originally scheduled for the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jnr in Saudi Arabia at the start of December.

The 31-year-old was forced to pull out but will now be back in action in the UK for the first time in nearly three years, his Wembley win over Viorel Simion coming back in April 2017.

You have to go back even further to December 2016 for his last outing at the Arena, the 31-year-old stopping Jose Cayetano in the ninth round.

“I’m looking forward to making my return after having 16 months out the ring due to the injury I suffered early last year,” said Quigg, who has won 35 of 39 fights.

“Unfortunately the injury reoccurred before the Saudi Arabia show but the arm is fully healed now and I’m already in great shape about to start camp.

“This is a fight I’m really excited about. I’m looking forward to getting in there and taking him apart and showing that despite being out the ring for over a year and the injury, there is still a lot left in the tank. 
 
“I’ve got everything fully focussed on March 7 to put in a career best performance. It’s great to be back fighting and headlining at Manchester Arena again and for my supporters to be able to see me back fighting on UK soil.

“It’s a great platform for me to launch my career forward again and get my name back in the mix for a world title shot.”

Quigg made five defences of the WBA World super-bantamweight crown before losing out to Carl Frampton in a unification battle at Manchester Arena in 2016.
 
He was outpointed by Oscar Valdez in an attempt for the Mexican’s WBO featherweight title at in March 2018 but now has his sights set on a world championship at super-featherweight. 
 
Carroll is on the hunt for a second shot at world honours after he returned to action with a win over Eleazer Valenzuela in Mexico following his spirited world title challenge in Philadelphia in March against IBF super-featherweight king Tevin Farmer.