Rocket relishes Hearn involvement

Ronnie O'Sullivan has extended an enthusiastic welcome to Barry Hearn, revealing the promoter's proposed involvement in snooker is likely to extend his own career.

Hearn is poised to be named chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association after Sir Rodney Walker was ousted from the role. And O'Sullivan - who on Monday night cruised into the second round of the Pukka Pies UK Championship with a 9-3 win over Matthew Stevens - is delighted by the news.

"He's the Ronaldinho of promoting," O'Sullivan told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We've had the amateurs and finally common sense has prevailed.

"Finally there's someone in charge of the game - if he is put in charge - who is honest, who has integrity, who delivers, he has charisma, he's a winner - he's got everything you need.

"Snooker's lucky. I don't think some of the players deserve it.

"A lot of the years, the way it's gone I don't think some of the players deserve to be playing under his quality, guidance if you like, but it's good for snooker.

"He's still got a hard job ahead of him."

O'Sullivan added: "If he's involved in the game, I'd definitely want to play on longer.

"Hopefully I can keep playing for a while. It's great to have him."