Kell Brook is set to face dangerous American Errol Spence in his comeback fight at Bramall Lane on May 27, with Sheffield Council expected to grant a licence for the bout in the next week.

The IBF welterweight champion has not fought since his fifth-round stoppage defeat at middleweight against Gennady Golovkin in September.

But his return is effectively set after contracts with Spence were signed and filed to the IBF.

Kell Brook is set to make his ring return following defeat by Gennady Golovkin in September

Brook was forced to undergo surgery on a broken eye socket following the Golovkin fight

KELL BROOK Fights: 37 Wins: 36 By knockout: 25 Losses: 1 Advertisement

ERROL SPENCE Fights: 21 Wins: 21 By knockout: 18 Losses: 0 Advertisement

The only remaining hurdle is approval from Sheffield Council to stage the bout at the home of Sheffield United, with promoter Eddie Hearn hopeful of confirming the fight by the early part of next week.

Hearn told Sportsmail: 'All the contracts are agreed and have been sent to the IBF. This is now the only fight we are looking at for Kell and it's a big one.

'We are speaking with Sheffield Council about a licence for Bramall Lane on May 27 for a capacity of 28,000. We need to go over the policing, safety and other requirements.

'All being well we will be able to confirm the fight by the end of this week or the start of next week.'

Spence, Brook's mandatory challenger, would pose a significant threat, having won all 21 of his fights, 18 by knockout.

Brook was forced to undergo surgery on a broken eye socket after his first career defeat by Golovkin.