RICKY WALDEN hopes to play a qualifying match in South Yorkshire next Thursday despite his worrying illness scare.
The snooker star, 42, was rushed to hospital in Berlin on Wednesday evening with internal pains, which turned out to be pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas.
The world No.38 stayed overnight under medical supervision and withdrew from a Last-16 clash the next day with Barry Hawkins in the German Masters.
Walden remained in hospital on Thursday and Friday and is aware he needs his gallbladder removed at some point upon his return to the UK.
But his team are hopeful the Chester-born cueist may play a Welsh Open qualifier in Barnsley on February 6 – provided he is fit to do so.
Agent Lee Gorton said: “Ricky had been feeling unwell for a couple of days.
“He played his game on Wednesday against Dylan Emery and was in quite a lot of pain during the game.
“We were hoping it would subside but it didn’t. We went back to the hotel and he started getting progressively worse.
“We took him to the emergency room in Berlin hospital. After about a six-hour wait, we decided to keep him in.
“Give him some fluids. He has pancreatitis. He has got a bit of an issue at the moment.
“He needs his gallbladder removed and that is in plan at home. This is a flare-up with the same condition.
“He may have a gallstone in the wrong place or whatever. He is going to be in hospital for a few days.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”‘Oh no, not again!’ moans commentator as snooker star cruelly denied 147 on FINAL ball after shocking moment of bad luck” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367579833112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“We hope we can bring him home and then he will have the surgery.
“Ricky has had a lot of people message him. He’s had a lot of support and is really chuffed by it.
“He’s still hoping to play. If he comes back and is in good shape, then he will go to Welsh Open qualifying.
“Fingers crossed.”
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