STEPHEN HENDRY will return to televised snooker later this month in a star-studded event.
Hendry has been announced as the wildcard for a Snooker 900 event, which boasts five former world champions.
The seven-time Crucible king joins compatriot John Higgins, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson as the marquee names for the inaugural Crucible Cup.
There is a £70,000 prize pot up for grabs with a £5,000 bonus if somebody makes a maximum 147.
Top 16 stars Barry Hawkins, Xiao Guodong and Gary Wilson make up the eight-player field.
The event will be broadcast on Pluto Snooker 900, a brand new channel launched two months ago which has been backed by Ronnie O’Sullivan
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Meanwhile, sorry Scot Stephen Maguire squandered a Scottish showdown with John Higgins at the Northern Ireland Open.
The former UK champion, 44, was blown away 4-0 by Si Jiahui in the last 32 yesterday in Belfast.
World no.25 Maguire’s last shot of the match summed up his day as he went in off on the black to be whitewashed.
Off-colour Glasgow potter Maguire produced a top break of just 39 as Si sunk runs of 69, 64 and 55 to set up a tasty tie with four-time world champion Higgins.
Former finalist Higgins will be bidding to reach his third straight quarter-final of the season.
Jack Lisowski saw off four-time world champion Mark Selby 4-2.
Lisowski, whose dad sadly passed away earlier this year, said: “I probably lost a little bit of fight but it’s coming back and I’m feeling stronger and I’m starting to enjoy my snooker a little bit more again.”
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