Ebdon's low expectations

Ebdon, who has dropped out of the top 16 in the world rankings after an 16-year stay, will line-up at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield next Thursday short of match practice.

The world number 18, who needs to win one match to reach the last 32 in September in China, released a statement saying: "I consider that I will not be in a position to play to the best of my ability in my Roewe Shanghai Masters qualifying match in Sheffield next week.

"This is down to personal circumstances, including the fact that I am getting re-married in Hungary this weekend. Since playing in a recent tournament in Thailand I have not been able to practise, and by the time the qualifiers come around I will not have played for ten days or more.

"I know just how bad I can be when I don't feel properly prepared as I am the type of player who needs to practise hard in order to play to a reasonable standard.

"As always, I will be doing my utmost to win what is a very important match for me but in truth, my levels of expectation will not be very high."