Maplin UK Championship

SOMETHING'S AFOOT WITH LEO

Injury-jinxed Leo Fernandez has suffered another unlucky break ahead of the Maplin UK Championship qualifiers

The Cumbria based professional will play at Prestatyn tomorrow (Friday) nursing a broken foot.

And while there's no good time to suffer such an injury, it's particularly inconvenient for Fernandez with the qualifiers to be followed in early January by the 888.com World Championship qualifiers.

There's also the forthcoming Grand Finals of the Pontin's World Pro-Am series. Fernandez is seeded No 1 for those finals after finishing top of the rankings following the six events.

His manager Andrew Milliard said: "Anyone more weak minded than Leo would have packed in the game by now. We just try and stay positive but after all he's been through it's very difficult."

Fernandez, who faces Northern Ireland Trophy giantkiller Martin Gould in his opening game at Prestatyn, has been in the wars for the past three years.

In the summer of 2004 he smashed his ankle in a freak accident when he fell off Blackpool pier. The plates and pins are a constant reminder of that painful moment.

In 2005, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer but happily is now clear of the disease though he still needs check-ups over six months.

After regaining his place on the World Snooker Tour this season, Fernandez was hoping for a change of fortune.

However, Milliard explains: "He's broken the foot that gave him the problems before. The specialist says that Leo should have an operation to take out the pins

."But with the UK and Worlds coming up, he's decided to wait. He's on pain killers which will help when he's at the table. But it will be tough for him, especially with the longer frame matches.

"Leo has only been able to put in a few days practice before the UK so it's not ideal. He's such a good player but he keeps suffering all these set backs."