Anthony Joshua set for rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in October

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could be set for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko at the Principality Stadium in October.

Joshua was hoping to make a return in November but scheduled autumn internationals have dampened those plans and he could be set for action a month earlier than expected.

Wales are in action at home across four consecutive weekends across November and December and the Independent are reporting that promoter Eddie Hearn is planning a showdown fight for October 28 as the best possible date.

Hearn said: “I believe Klitschko will go ahead with the rematch so we are looking at dates.

“The Principality Stadium is not really available in November because of rugby so 28 October is the option. Most of December is available but I don’t really want to go that late.

“Josh has a bit of a sore shoulder, Klitschko has had a tough fight, his face was bashed up. You have got two more weeks in May, all of June and after that they will be thinking ‘right let’s get back in camp’.

“Even if you started back in camp in August, then you have September and October so end of October can work.”

The IBF and WBA champion is expected to have a lucrative rematch with Klitschko following their memorable encounter at Wembley at the end of April.

Klitschko is currently away with his family in Miami as he makes a decision over his long-term future but reports suggest he is expected to activate the clause in his contract allowing him another shot at Joshua.

The Ukrainian legend came close to winning the heavyweight showdown when he knocked Joshua to the ground in the sixth round, but failed to make his dominance count and was stopped in the 11th.

The national stadium in Wales is now expected to host the rematch because of the retractable roof, but Hearn is still looking at options overseas and will consider all options before making a final decision.

Hearn added: “For Cardiff that date is an option and also December but I don’t really want to go into December so we are looking at the MGM in Las Vegas, China and Dubai as options too.”