Ronnie O’Sullivan could be forced out of Betway World Championships with bizarre foot injury

CROCKED Ronnie O’Sullivan could be forced out of the Betway UK Championship with a painful foot — on his 44th birthday.

But the Rocket joked at least he got injured while running 40 miles a week and “not drinking, like Stephen Maguire”.

O’Sullivan limped around the table and grimaced with pain during his 6-2 third-round victory over Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham — a record 90th win in this tournament.

The Essex potter plays China’s Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals tomorrow as he chases the £200,000 winner’s cheque and a third successive title.

But he might have to call it quits if the pain in his right foot is unbearable when he wakes up on his big day.

O’Sullivan said: “I’ve got a really bad foot. I don’t want to pull out.

“I’m hopeful I’ll be all right to play my next match because I’m hobbling about.

“I’ve had it for so long. My back gets sore and my foot is in agony.

“I’ll have to take some painkillers and get some ice on it.

“It’s an old running injury. Hopefully I can play again.

“It’s throbbing at the moment.

“I’ve tried to treat it but it doesn’t seem to go away. I’m due to see someone in January.”

O’Sullivan did not rule out the prospect of surgery in the New Year to cure the problem — but admitted it would be “the last thing I’d want”.

He added: “I couldn’t stop running forever.

I’ll have to take some painkillers and get some ice on it. It’s an old running injury. Hopefully I can play again.

Ronnie O’Sullivan

“I got back to running four or five weeks ago.

“Running is more important to me than snooker, which is a hobby. Running is something I really, really love.

“I suppose I’m my own worst enemy at times.”

World No 14 Maguire fractured his ankle in October after slipping out of the shower during his stay at the World Open in China.

Yet O’Sullivan made the extraordinary claim to millions of viewers it was because he had enjoyed too many beers while abroad.

When the subject of Maguire’s injury was raised on BBC TV, Ronnie quipped: “He did his falling over and being drunk, though.

“Mine was from putting 40 miles of running in every week. A slight difference!”

Maguire, a 6-2 winner over fellow Scot Graeme Dott, would only say: “He’s usually wrong, ain’t he?

“My foot is getting better. It will take a couple of months but I will play it by ear.”