Hunter's back on the baize

Paul Hunter will make his first competitive appearance tomorrow night since being diagnosed with cancer a week ago.

The world number four from Leeds is scheduled to play two matches in the Betfred Premier League at the Dome, Doncaster.

And it is looking increasingly likely the three times Wembley Masters champion will now take his place in the line up for the Embassy World Championship starting at Sheffield on Saturday.

Hunter, who has revealed he is suffering from cancer of the colon, begins his Crucible campaign against Nottingham’s Michael Holt on Sunday.

Before then though he meets Jimmy White and Marco Fu in the final round-robin Premier League matches.

Hunter is playing only for pride and prize money as he is currently bottom of the table.

However, that is the least of his worries and he is sure to get a great reaction from his native Yorkshire crowd.

Hunter will certainly get a sympathetic hug from White, who had a brush with cancer himself in 1997 when his left testicle was removed.