Anthony McGill sends Mark Allen a message on behalf of players after he reveals he is in a 'bad place'

Mark Allen, 40, said 'at the minute I'm just trying to survive' after losing 4-2 to close friend Jordan Brown at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. It was his first match since May's Crucible semi-final. He told TNT Sports he only returned to face Brown at the Waterfront Hall, where his career began in 2005. Asked if he might retire, he answered: 'Yeah.'

Allen missed a routine black at the Crucible, and Wu Yize won their semi-final 17-16.

He skipped the English Open, where he was defending champion, citing personal reasons.

'The problems are within. I just don't see a future for snooker,' Allen said.