Ricky Walden had snooker fans worried as he was rushed to hospital after a German Masters clash - but the 42-year-old is targeting a speedy return.After battling through the pain barrier to defeat Dylan Emery in the second round of the event in the German capital, Walden was rushed to hospital in Berlin following an assessment by medics at the venue - where he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.
After staying overnight in a German hospital the Stamina Man was forced to withdraw from his third round match with Barry Hawkins, who would go on to lose to world champ Kyren Wilson in the final.Walden was told that he requires surgery when he returned to the UK, and his team hope to have him back on the mend in time to take on either Latvia's Artemijs Zizins or Pakistan's Farakh Ajaib at a Welsh Open qualifier in Barnsley on February 6.
That would represent a remarkable turnaround for the 2014 Master's quarter-finalist, who was Ronnie O'Sullivan's opponent as the Rocket secured a stunning 6-0 whitewash in one of his best performances ever at Alexandra Palace.
According to his agent, Lee Gorton, Walden had been feeling unwell for a couple of days in the lead up to the German Masters, before the pain after his second round win over Dylan Emery became so severe that he needed medical support.