RICKY Hatton is confident he can overcome a troubled build-up to his clash with Russian challenger Mikhail Krivolapov at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

Britain's WBU light-welterweight champion took a few days out of the gym last month following the death of his uncle John.

A recent Achilles injury has curtailed the amount of road work he has been able to do before the fifth defence of his title on Saturday night.

With Krivolapov ranked number four in the world by the WBC, they are setbacks the 23-year-old could have done without.

But Hatton said: "A few weeks ago I had to leave off the road work for a couple of days, but it's nothing major. It's not altered one thing.

"All boxers will admit that when you're training sometimes you get little niggles and sometimes you get little injuries. I just had to take a couple of days off the road and a little bit of physio - but there are no problems at all."

Hatton is well known for his relentless training regime, and trainer Billy Graham confirmed his charge will be firing on all cylinders on the night.

He insisted: "I won't put my fighters in unless they are 100 per cent fit. If my fighter isn't ready I won't put him in. I've got no worries at all about the Achilles tendon.

"Ricky has got a wicked engine. He very rarely has an off day in training and very rarely has an injury - he has a really tough constitution.

"I was worried when John died because he was a very popular fella, and I know Ricky felt terrible at the time.

"But I've been through it myself - I've lost a brother - and I'll have no worries on the night because he'll make that work for him. I still draw on my brother for inspiration, and Ricky will do the same - that's how it should be and that's how it will be on the night."

Belfast's Eamonn Magee will look to stay on course for a summer showdown with Hatton when he defends his Commonwealth title on the same bill.

The 30-year-old puts his belt on the line for the fifth time against Norwich battler Jon Thaxton, who went 12 rounds with Hatton in October 2000.

Anthony Farnell has been promised a shot at the WBU middleweight title if he impresses on his move up to the 11st 7lb division against Burton's Matt Galer.