Highfield hoping O'Sullivan magic can help at Welsh Open

Liam Highfield says he has got his love for snooker back and is hoping some magic will rub off on him from a practice table gifted by one of the biggest stars of the sport.

The 35-year-old from Stoke had to take a year away from the pro tour after an e-scooter accident left him with a wrist injury.

But he is now back on the tour and has been preparing for the upcoming Welsh Open by practicing on his friend Ronnie O'Sullivan's old table.

"I've enjoyed it way more than previous years. I've been a bit more dedicated and that's helped with the enjoyment. I've got into finer details of the game and got my love back for it," he said.

Highfield told BBC Radio Stoke's Sport at Six programme that his first year back on the tour had flown by.

"It's been 15 tournaments back as a pro again, it's so strange. I'm really positive, I've been playing really well in practice against other pros and I feel really good," he said.

"It can be different in competition so you never know how you're going to play but I'm looking forward to each match and enjoying it."

Highfield has been drawn against Welshman Jak Jones in the first round of the Welsh Open, which is being held in Llandudno from 23 February to 1 March.

"It's a really good event and historically has had a lot of great winners. It's one of the tournaments on the calendar that everyone likes. It's really well attended so hopefully it's an enjoyable tournament," Highfield added.

"I've got Jak Jones who is someone around my age who's had a good career and I think it will be a pretty attractive game to watch."

Highfield is currently number 91 in the world rankings and has previously said he wants to win a ranking event by his 40th birthday.

He is hoping that the stardust sprinkled into O'Sullivan's old practice table could help him in upcoming tournaments.

"We've always got on and the tables changed brands a few years back," he added.

"I was still playing with older branded tables and always on the lookout for a new one. They're from China so they're quite hard to come by over here.

"Ronnie uprooted from the UK and through a mutual friend I said I need a new table and they said 'Ronnie will give you his'.

"We had that out of his back room in his garden and that's the table I practice on now so I'm really thankful to him, he's always been really good with me."