Ali Carter pulls out of first tournament since chemotherapy

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Ali Carter has not played since being diagnosed in May

Two-time World Championship finalist Ali Carter has postponed his planned return after undergoing chemotherapy.

The 35-year-old had entered the Players Tour Championship event in Bulgaria, his first since being diagnosed in May with a cancerous tumour on his lung.

However, he has been advised to rest after pain in his left arm prevented him practising. He could return instead at November's PTC event in Germany.

Video caption, Carter set for comeback after cancer treatment

"I am so disappointed, but remain full of excitement,"

"I remain positive and hopeful that I will be well enough to return to competition soon."

The 2010 Shanghai Masters winner, who also has Crohn's disease and has already overcome testicular cancer, had three rounds of chemotherapy and has one procedure left to burn away the remainder of the tumour in his lung.

Carter is a three-time ranking tournament winner, having landed titles at the 2009 Welsh Open, 2010 Shanghai Masters and 2013 German Masters, but lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2008 and 2012 Crucible finals.