JJB Sports is expected to next week unveil the roll-out of its trial store format and plans to downsize its estate.

In its preliminary results on Wednesday, the retailer is also likely to outline new own-brand ranges and the potential benefit to gross margins.

Shore Capital retail analyst John Stevenson said JJB “merits revisiting”, because the next one to two years is likely to show recovery.

Stevenson said that since the arrival of chief executive Chris Ronnie, JJB had cleared out terminal stocks and “effectively ‘kitchen-sinked’” the results for the year.

Panmure Gordon analyst Philip Dorgan, who forecasts a second half pre-tax profit of£25.2 million and£33.5 million for the year, said he expects “long-term growth to be driven by a re-energisation of its retail business and strong organic growth in its unique health club format”.

It is understood that JJB is reviewing the future of as many as 70 stores in its 420-strong portfolio, although the retailer declined to comment on any likely disposals.

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