STEVE Bendall may have to wait until next year to get a crack at the English middleweight championship.

Bendall was pencilled in to challenge title-holder Donovan Smillie in December, but the Poole-based puncher may miss out after being cut on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old southpaw picked up a vertical, inch long wound above his right eye in the last round of a tough six-rounder with French brawler Majid Ben Driss that he won on points.

Bendall remained optimistic afterwards that his title fight will have to go ahead saying: "My wounds usually heal quite quickly."

Bendall conceded there's still plenty of room for improvement after chalking up his second win since being stopped by Scott Dann in a clash for the vacant British middleweight title last September.

He was badly shaken in the second round by Ben Driss on his way to chalking up his 22nd win in 23 fights (10 inside the distance).

Bendall admitted: "I was a bit too tense in the first three rounds and he caught me with some good shots when I didn't move my head enough.

"He was throwing his body weight against me as well and then there was the clash of heads in the last minute.

"But I'm improving and I know I won't get back to my best overnight.

"We've gone back to basics in the gym and I'm just taking things one step at a time at the moment.

"I know I'm still good enough to be British champion, but not on that performance.

"It's just going to take some time to get back to where I was and I've got time on my side.

"I'm not getting any younger, but I've spent a lot of time out of the ring and haven't got many miles on the clock."