After a hand injury saw his proposed main event matchup against Joe Joyce shelved earlier this month, longtime heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte is eyeing a return by the end of May.

That's according to manager/advisor Michael Ofo, who explained the difficulty surrounding his current condition.

"He needs a couple more weeks, once those are over he should be able to get back into training. At the moment, things like putting his hand in a glove is not possible, so he's just ticking over until he's able to start punching," Ofo told Boxing Scene.

Former interim title challenger Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) has since replaced Whyte for the April 5 date, where he'll end a ten-month absence after suffering a career-first pro defeat by IBF reigning titleholder Daniel Dubois in Riyadh last June.

Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) has endured periods of inactivity throughout his career but as he enters the final stages, has been open about being kept busy with numerous names on the radar to finish his career strong.

While the man himself was left 'devastated' by the freak injury, Ofo insisted it won't be long before the 36-year-old is back, having headlined a card in Gibraltar with an seventh-round stoppage win over Ebenezer Tetteh on December 15.

"Another two months, Dill will be back in fighting shape. He's already looking slimmer and trim - ready to go off the back of his win over Tetteh, so it's not going to be a long delay. Dill's going to be ready and back in action."

Fabio Wardley, who this month relinquished British honours, is said to be facing WBA (Regular) champion Kubrat Pulev next and Whyte - who manages him - could return on that date, expected sometime this summer.