UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has hinted at a possible return to competition following a prolonged injury layoff, posting a cryptic message on social media just hours before UFC president Dana White is set to reveal a major fight card announcement.

The British fighter has been sidelined since October of last year after suffering a serious eye injury during his title defence opposite Ciryl Gane, when the bout was stopped early in the first round following an eye poke that left Aspinall temporarily blinded and forced him to undergo multiple surgeries.

Fans have been awaiting news of the 32-year-old’s comeback, though Aspinall recently suggested that a return was not yet at the forefront of his mind. “I’m not even thinking about fighting at the minute,” Aspinall said in comments to Uncrowned.

“All I’m thinking about is getting my health right, so thinking about a return date is pointless until that happens,” he added.

Speculation about his return intensified after Aspinall posted an image of himself boarding a private jet on Instagram recently alongside the caption, “Back to business” — with post coming shortly after White confirmed he would soon unveil the full lineup for a major UFC event scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC in June.

“I’ll announce the whole card this week. It’s done. The card is done,” White said, according to IFL TV.

The upcoming event has been widely tipped as one of the promotion’s biggest cards, with numerous high profile fighters linked with appearances, while a long-discussed bout between Aspinall and Jon Jones has also been suggested as a potential headline fight.