BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Snooker | Higgins 'can still play'

Alex Higgins is capable of producing some top-class snooker on his return to competition later this month, according to world number 16 Joe Swail.

Former world champion Higgins will make his first competitive appearance for five years at the Benson & Hedges Championship in Mansfield on 23 October.

'Hurricane' Higgins set for return

The news has been greeted with widespread astonishment following the 53-year-old's battle with cancer and run-ins with snooker authorities in recent years.

Joe Swail has recently played against Higgins

But Swail, twice a world championship semi-finalist, insists his fellow Northern Irishman could spring a surprise.

"He can still play," said Swail.

"I played an exhibition with him and Jimmy White in Derry earlier this year and he got the highest break of the night.

"He also played some unbelievable shots, reminiscent of the old days when I loved to watch him play."

But Swail admitted that there was more than a little uncertainty about the anticipated return of snooker's most popular character.

"I don't know whether he is going to turn up though if he does he still has the pulling power with the spectators," said Swail.

'Hurricane' blows hot and cold

"The thing is people just don't know what he is going to do but fair play to him if he wants to have a go, though it's going to be hard for him.

"The standard of snooker has risen so much since he's been out of the game."

Higgins is scheduled to meet Lee Spick in the first round at the Towers snooker club in Mansfield.


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