Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the upcoming Weide Cup World Open on medical grounds, the WST have confirmed.

O'Sullivan was due to face Stuart Carrington in a first-round clash on Sunday but he has now been replaced by Daniel Womersley.

The WST statement, which was posted on Tuesday afternoon, read: "Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of next week's Weide Cup World Open for medical reasons. O'Sullivan was due to face Stuart Carrington in the opening round this Sunday, but instead he will be replaced by the highest ranked available player on the 2024 Q School Order of Merit, Daniel Womersley. The tournament in Yushan, China, runs from February 23rd to March 1st."

'The Rocket' has not played competitively in more than a month. He struggled for form at the Championship League in early January and pulled out of the event altogether before a group stage match against rival Ali Carter, having snapped his cue in anger.

O'Sullivan dropped out of the Masters only days later. "It was a nightmare decision to make," he told Eurosport. "I've been on this three-week trip, away playing, and I think I just exhausted myself.

"I lost the plot and snapped my cue so that's unplayable, so I just knew at that moment in time, the right decision was not to play. It's such a big tournament, I felt whoever was going to come in should at least have a couple of days' notice."

Another withdrawal followed at the German Masters, before O'Sullivan again dropped out shortly before his opening match at the Welsh Open last week.

Opportunities for O'Sullivan to regain sharpness are dwindling ahead of the World Snooker Championship in mid-April. With the World Open proceeding in his absence, 'The Rocket' could next appear at the World Grand Prix next month.

The tournament is being held outside of the UK for the first time, the prize fund has almost doubled and O'Sullivan has a title to defend - all of which point towards the 49-year-old getting back amongst it in Hong Kong.

During the Welsh Open, O'Sullivan's close ally Jimmy White hinted that a comeback is not far off. "I have heard he has a good cue he is happy with," he told Eurosport. "But I am only hearing whispers. He needs to get some match practice before the World Championship."