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Snooker player Ali Carter will undergo surgery on Tuesday after being diagnosed with

Carter received the news from doctors last week and will have a course of chemotherapy following the operation.

It is another health setback for the 33-year-old from Essex, who was diagnosed with back in 2003 and has had a well-documented struggle with the illness.

"Thank you to everyone for their support,"

"Just want to get through this week then I will concentrate on getting better. Love you all."

The world number 15 has won three ranking events in his professional career and has been ranked as high as number two in the world.

He reached the World Championship final at the Crucible in both 2008 and 2012, where he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan on both occasions.

Six-times World Championship finalist Jimmy White, who survived testicular cancer, "Sending my love to @TheCaptain147. I know you've got the strength to beat it mate."

Barry Hearn, chairman of the sport's governing body World Snooker, added: "Ali has shown in his battle against Crohn's disease that he is a fighter.

"We hope for a positive outcome and everyone in snooker is 100 per cent behind him. We look forward to seeing him back on the circuit soon."