Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton is gearing up for a crunch shareholder vote this week as his long-running fight to return to the fashion chain's board nears a climax.

Mr Dunkerton will face an investor ballot on his comeback on Tuesday having left the board last year, but his campaign has so far failed to gain major traction.

While it is understood that one of the firm's top three investors is now backing his return, he is likely to require the support of several more to secure his seat at the top table.

He was dealt a blow last week when influential investor advisory firms PIRC and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) both recommended shareholders reject his re-election.

Mr Dunkerton is acting with co-founder James Holder and together the pair own 29% of Superdry. They are also seeking to appoint Boohoo chairman Peter Williams as a board director.

In making the case for his return, Mr Dunkerton has argued that the retailer's current management, led by chief executive Euan Sutherland, has presided over a "catastrophic decline" at Superdry.

The retailer has posted a string of disappointing results, including a December profit warning.