Stephen Hendry to play Matthew Selt in first competitive snooker match for almost a decade

The seven-time world champion will return at the Gibraltar Open having not played since he retired in 2012

Stephen Hendry is returning to action (PA)

Stephen Hendry will face Matthew Selt in the first match of his comeback at the Gibraltar Open in Milton Keynes next week.

The record seven-time world champion, 52, has not played on the tour since he retired after the 2012 World Championship.

Selt, who started this week ranked number 25 in the world, is a good friend of Hendry’s and beat the Scot 5-1 when they met in the 2011 Australian Open.

Hendry told ITV4: "We're very good friends and I'm looking forward to it. I'm curious to see what will happen and I'm prepared for any result.

"On the practice table I'm probably hitting the ball better than I did when I retired, but that means nothing when you go out there."

PA