Seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan goes into Thursday’s World Championship draw as one of the favourites despite having not competed since January or even having confirmed he will play in the tournament.
Four-time world champion Mark Selby and Crucible master of ceremonies and commentator Rob Walker will be in Salford to conduct the first-round draw at 08:45 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live, with it also being streamed on the BBC Sport website and BBC iplayer.
O’Sullivan, who remains one of the sport’s biggest pulls, is seeded fifth and has been installed as one of the leading contenders with the bookmakers.
The 49-year-old has been an ever-present at the Crucible since turning professional in 1992 and would be going for a record eighth…