The Wavertree student was jailed in May after being found guilty of attacking a Bulgarian barman despite another Liverpool man confessing to the crime.
Michael was on holiday in the Golden Sands resort with pals after watching Liverpool's European cup final victory in Istanbul.
He has already lost one appeal after the court refused to accept new evidence.
Now his legal team, including a Sofia-based barrister, are preparing for Michael's final make-or-break appeal in January.
Court officials in Bulgaria are expected to announce a date for the appeal after the Christmas break.
