Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed that he is in a race against time to feature at the World Snooker Championship because he has not found a cue that he feels capable of using for the competition.

The Rocket has not competed since January after smashing his cue during a shock defeat in a Championship League event held behind closed doors. He has pulled out of several competitions as a result, but his return beckons.

O’Sullivan has now spoken openly about how he hopes to return at the Crucible if he can overcome his ‘snooker depression’, though his cue situation remains unresolved despite his hiatus allowing him time to test other equipment and practice.

Speaking to The Sun, the seven-time world champion explained: “I literally don’t have a cue. I still haven’t found one that I’m comfortable with. Still just trying out different ones. Trying to find one that I like. I have probably changed my cue four, five times.

“On two or three occasions, I found one straight away. On the other two occasions, it has taken me sometimes a year to find one.”

O’Sullivan’s last cue was retrieved from a bin in two pieces after snapping it in a fit of rage, and it is certainly beyond repair. He added: “It’s a bit of memorabilia now. It’ll be getting sold off. I do regret it, really. Because it was my cue. It’s hard to find another one.

“What happened was just coming. I have done it before. And it’s not the game — it’s me really. I have just been struggling for so long now. I just couldn’t do it anymore, to be honest with you. I couldn’t. And I’m still struggling now, to be honest. I literally have had enough of playing what I call unacceptable snooker.”

O’Sullivan shared that he has no intention of quitting snooker at this stage, but he must improve if he is to return to the table. He concluded: “It got to the point where I was struggling with the game. I always call it snooker depression. Call it stage fright. Call it whatever you like. It starts to affect you mentally.

“Listen, that’s why I snapped my cue, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I feel like that could happen again. I need to find the love for the game, to find that passion.”