Carl Froch won’t give up on a fight with Joe Calzaghe.

Froch secured victory over Glen Johnson on Saturday to book a showdown with Andre Ward in the final of the Super Six competition but he’s already looking beyond that fight.

The 33-year-old WBC super-middleweight champion remains confident of securing a dream homecoming fight against long-term rival Calzaghe next year.

Froch repeatedly called out Calzaghe when the latter was still active, but his efforts proved futile – and the Newbridge legend retired from the sport in 2008 after beating Roy Jones Jnr.

But Froch, who is targeting a mega-fight at Nottingham's City Ground in 2012 if he overcomes Ward, has heard whispers Calzaghe could be contemplating a return.

“We still may see me fight Joe Calzaghe, who I hear is back in the gym and on the pads,” Froch told Sky Sports News.

But if Calzaghe sticks to his word and stays retired then there could be consolation for the Cobra with a battle of Britain clash against the man known as the new Joe Calzaghe.

Undefeated WBO light-heavyweight champ Nathan Cleverly is apparently eyeing a clash with the Nottingham fighter.

“I’d love to fight him and it’s a nice option for me,” said Cefn Fforest-born Cleverly.

“He will win the Super Six and I have the WBO light-heavyweight crown.”

Froch would have to step up from super-middleweight, but the Gwent star said: “It would be a great fight. Two great warriors going toe-to-toe – that’s what the fans want.

“He’s a good fighter and doesn’t duck anyone.”

A rematch with Mikkel Kessler, who inflicted his only defeat as a professional, is also an option for Froch.

But first he must deal with unbeaten WBA king Ward, who is set to pose a serious threat when the two meet in November.

While Froch has mostly been respectful when talking about the American, he did allow himself a jibe about Ward's power.

“He's very fast, very skilful, and with fast hands,” Froch said. “He's not a big puncher, so he's going to have trouble keeping me off him. I'm going to show my strength and power by walking through his feather-duster punches.”