Higgins to defend Regal crown

John Higgins is seeded number one

Last year's champion and local favourite John Higgins will be back at the Regal Masters in Glasgow this September to defend his title.

Higgins is part of a quality field unveiled by tournament organisers.

The Scot is seeded number one, ahead of world champion Peter Ebdon, world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams in a field that includes the winner of every ranking event in the past year.

The quartet are seeded through to the last eight, where Higgins could face either twice Regal Master winner and fifth seed Ken Doherty or Jimmy White, one of four wild card entries.

Tournament director Lee Doyle is looking forward to an exciting tournament.

"This year's tournament looks to have everything - a local hero in defending champion in John Higgins, Peter Ebdon making his first competitive appearance as champion of the world," he said.

Seeded behind Doherty, who is five, are former world champion Stephen Hendry, Matthew Stevens and Stephen Lee.

Paul Hunter, the Regal Welsh Open and Wembley Masters winner, and Mark King fill two of the wild card spots, with the fourth to be taken by the winner of the qualifying tournament.