Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to Snooker ahead of the Masters
FIVE-TIME world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan plays his first competitive match for eight months on Saturday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to snooker ahead of the Masters at the Wembley arena next month
The Rocket will take on Pakistan's tour rookie Hamza Akbar as he both bids to make it to Berlin and gain some valuable practice ahead of next month's Masters.
Judd Trump, meanwhile, closed in on a place at the German Masters on Thursday.
The world No 5 did not have to be at his brilliant best against Leeds veteran Peter Lines in their preliminary tie in Wigan. But despite a top break of just 64 Trump completed a 5-1 win - and will head for Berlin in February if he comes through a second qualifier on Sunday.
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Lines, 46, won the first frame with a match-high break of 67 - but the Juddernaut then responded with five on the spin to cruise over the winning line.
Chinese wonder-kid Zhou Yuelong is also on course to make the trip to Germany. The 17-year-old, the star of the World Cup-winning team this season, beat compatriot Zhang Yong 5-1.