Ronnie O'Sullivan texted me asking if I thought he could still win snooker World Championship — This was my answer!

Having not played since early January the Rocket is expected to return to action at snooker's biggest event

Ronnie O'Sullivan asked Stephen Hendry if he thought he could still win at the Crucible before his stunning 2013 victory.

And the Scots snooker icon wouldn't be surprised to see the Rocket repeat the trick 12 years later, with doubts still swirling about whether or not the seven-time world champion will enter the event.

O'Sullivan hasn't played competitively since snapping his cue and kicking the table at the Championship League in early January, but is expected to return to action when the Crucible begins on April 19.

It's not the first time he's taken a prolonged break from the game either, having not played a single ranking tournament prior to his dramatic victory in Sheffield in 2013.

Speaking on his Snooker Club podcast, icon Hendry - who is tied with O'Sullivan on seven world titles - said: "One of my hot takes was going to be that Ronnie is going to turn up and win it. We want something a bit controversial and out there.

"What a story it would be. All these players, Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump, winning all these tournaments. Robertson back, Higgins, Selby. And Ronnie decides just to turn up and win it.

"It would be an unbelievable story. I remember when he did it before he messaged me before to ask if I thought he could come back and do it.

"I said, of course you can. All you need is a solid month of practice to get yourself sharp. It’s the same this time. I don’t know what his cue situation is because obviously he smashed his last one.

"If he had a month behind closed doors practicing, putting the work in and getting himself sharp then of course he could win. He’ll be one of the top two or three favourites to win it. It would be an incredible story."

King of the Crucible Stephen Hendry is tipping Mark Selby for success

However the Rocket isn't his pick for the crown, with Hendry continuing: "Mark Selby showed some glimpses that he’s playing well. He’s my pick for Sheffield, his game is coming on nicely and he’s won it four times.

"He’s obviously got the perfect game, arguably, for Sheffield. But I think it’s pretty open this year. There are a few contenders and some of the second round draws are going to be tasty."

Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, courtesy of Betway, MC Phil Seymour revealed that O'Sullivan is practicing hard ahead of his comeback.

He said: "If Ronnie is there then he is there to win that’s all you can say about it. Do I think he will be there? I have no idea.

"I’ve heard from a couple of guys who do TV coverage that when they are covering tournaments, Ronnie is at the practice table all the time and I don’t doubt that for a second."