Ryan Aston and Carl Froch get ready

Dudley's Ryan Aston has backed Carl Froch to become a world champion once again next week after four days of sparring between the two.

Hometown hero and former WBC title holder Froch goes for the IBF crown held by Lucian Bute next Saturday night at the Nottingham Arena.

On the undercard of the Sky Sports bill, undefeated middleweight Aston faces a test against veteran puncher Paul Samuels over six rounds

And 'Tank' has made four separate trips to Nottingham to climb through the ropes with 'the Cobra,' completing eight rounds on each visit.

Aston was picked because of his abilities to box as a clone for Bute, calculating pressure fighter who comes forward and attacks to the body.

As a lighter opponent than the two super middleweights, Aston has superior hand speed, which has sharpened Froch's reactions for fight night.

But that's not half as much as his sparring partner - who is only 21 - has taken from their exchanges.

He said: "I am a big fan of Carl Froch and he's been brilliant for boxing, he's doesn't duck anyone and he's a credit to the sport.

"To have this sort of sparring is priceless, you can't ask for anything better, and Carl is such a talented bloke.

"I am being recognised as a class of opponent for world-class athletes and it's been brilliant.

"It's been making me switch on a lot, he's made me think more than anyone I have been in there with.

"With him, it's knowing what to throw and when to throw it, when to move and when to stay put.

"He's clever, has got a very long reach and he's got a great chin as well."

As his role was to get Froch ready for Bute, Aston was only allowed to box in a particular way.

But it wasn't much of a deviation from his norm, allowing the up-and-comer to do his thing against a world-class opponent.

Having sampled his arsenal at first-hand, Aston has backed Froch to beat Bute and become Britain's latest world champion.

He said: "He's been there and done it and I think he will do it again in Nottingham, in the later rounds with the crowd behind him.

"Bute is a great body puncher but most of the guys he has been in there are come-forward fighters who have played into his hands.

"We have been working with Carl boxing on the back-foot and trying to hit me on the counter, as well, or beat me to the punch.

"I have been trying to mimic Bute but that's my style, really, I like throwing body shots and switch hitting.

"I am just a smaller and more compact fighter."