Nathan Dale returns to the ring on Friday night after an absence of 10 months with a ringing endorsement from an illustrious stable-mate.

Dale has been sparring with former British champion and world title challenger Liam Walsh, who confirms the Norwich boxer is in top nick.

'Liam's exact words were, 'he has definitely improved – the break has done him good',' said trainer Graham Everett. 'Liam has really enjoyed sparring with him and says he has improved and there is a toughness about him.'

Dale is eager not to be labelled the ProBox Norwich gym's Mr Unlucky, given the hand injuries which have caused him problems of late.

'Hopefully we will see the difference in him this time,' added Everett. 'There are no worries over the hand. He got the all-clear – we have had no problems with it.

'I have changed his training around a little bit and we have changed his style around a little bit, but he is looking really, really good in the gym. The hand problem is something we don't talk about because it is what we classify as negativity.

'Nathan is 26 years old now, so he is starting to get towards his prime. he has been out of the ring for 10 months so we need him to get busy again because we need to get cracking with him.

Dale comes up against Innocent Anyanwu, from Holland, while there is a tough task in store for Zaiphan Morris, who takes on Southern Area super-featherweight champion Jamie Speight.

'It's a tough test for Zaiphan, no doubt,' said Everett. 'But he is always eager to step up and take on the challenge.'

The four-fight show is part of an East Anglian double-header, with Ipswich hosting a fight night 24 hours later featuring the likes of Connor Vian and Joe Hurn as well as heavyweight Fabian Wardley.

The Norwich dinner show is something of a rarity on the Norwich pro boxing scene.

'It just keeps everyone busy,' said Everett. 'It was promoter Mervyn Turner's idea which I think is worth a try – do a dinner show and make it a little bit different and we have obviously got some serious quality fighters on there, with Craig Poxton, a Southern Area champion, and Joe Steed.'