World Ranking: 17
Provisional Ranking: 18
Date Of Birth: 25/07/79
World Championship best: Last 32 - 2003

This young talent from Essex was voted Newcomer of the Year back in the 1999/2000 season.

It was then that Carter first came to prominence, reaching the semi-finals of the Grand Prix before winning the Benson and Hedges Championship to gain a place in the Masters field at Wembley.

He beat Steve Davis there to firmly establish himself among the game's elite.

Continues to rise up the rankings, improving every year of his career to date.

This season has brought mixed fortunes, but enough success to suggest he could make an impact at the Crucible.

Carter reached the quarter-finals at the LG Cup and the last 16 of the UK Championship.

In a decent section of the draw in Sheffield, he could win his first Crucible match this year.