Hearn rates O’Sullivan’s hopes as slim

World Snooker chief Barry Hearn has cast doubt on Ronnie O’Sullivan’s world title hopes, claiming the maverick star will struggle to win a fifth crown next month following his extended break from the sport.

O’Sullivan will return for the World Championships, which begin on 20 April, following a self-imposed nine-month exile and has been practising against fellow professionals in recent weeks. But Hearn said: “Ronnie’s problem is how is he going to play in the World Championships?

“The boys are busy, honed professionals. He has not played for nine months. If anyone can turn it on, Ronnie can, but I think he is going to find it very difficult to compete with people who have been playing week in week out for the last nine months. He is coming in fresh.”

Hearn is still delighted to have his star man back at the table and added: “It’s great news for us. There has been a lot of written about Ronnie, lots of media. But what am I going to get? I have no idea. With Ronnie you have uncertainty in block capitals and that’s part of the charm and why we will all watch him.”