Ricky Burns hopes to face winner of Terry Flanagan v Derry Mathews

Ricky Burns hopes to regain the WBO world lightweight title by beating the winner of Terry Flanagan's clash with Derry Mathews.

The Scot (39-5-1-KO13) stopped Josh King in the penultimate round back in November and has moved up to third place in the WBO rankings - earning the chance at a final eliminator to face the winner of Flanagan's defence against Mathews on February 13.

Burns told Sky Sports: "I think the lightweight division is one of the best - not just domestically but in the world. I'd like to think that I'm going to get my name back up there and we're just waiting for confirmation about my next fight.

If I win my possible fight, I will be made mandatory and I'm sure the purse bids will be fun and games. As long as I get in a big fight, I've got all the motivation I need.

"I know the WBO have put me at number 3 again so I think we're chasing a final eliminator. Obviously Terry Flanagan is fighting Derry Mathews. Nothing's been confirmed yet and as long as I'm getting my name back out there, that's all that matters.

"I've sparred both guys and I've got to edge towards Flanagan. He's a very good all-round fighter. He's southpaw and Mathews has a puncher's chance but I just think Flanagan will be too smart for him.

"If I win my possible fight, I will be made mandatory and I'm sure the purse bids will be fun and games. As long as I get in a big fight, I've got all the motivation I need. I need to win my next fight and I won't need any more motivation than that."

With Flanagan, Mathews and WBA world champion Anthony Crolla all vying for divisional supremacy, Burns highlighted the potential of another two British lightweights - Kevin Mitchell and Luke Campbell, who recently suffered career setbacks against Ismael Barroso and Yvan Mendy respectively.

Burns said: "I think everyone was shocked about Campbell. Nobody expected that but Mendy's tactics were spot on. He was coming forward the whole fight. He got the job done.

"Although nobody likes to lose, it's how you come back from it and I think Luke's got the mentality to go back to the drawing board and start chasing big fights. He'll chase the rematch and he can definitely come again.

"Kevin is back in full training and he's waiting for confirmation for a possible big fight. Obviously he was gutted and we all were. I hadn't seen much of Barroso. Although his record looked good, he didn't have many big names on there.

"Barroso didn't just go out to rough him up - he was thinking about what he was doing. Barroso can punch with both hands and I think Anthony Crolla would have his hands full with that guy. I think it'd be a tough fight and Crolla would have to be on top of his game."