The 26-year-old won four matches before losing out to Stuart Bingham for the right to play in the Masters at Wembley. He carried his form to York, where he beat Jamie Cope, Alan McManus and Peter Ebdon before being edged out 9-7 by Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals.

However, the last few months have not been as positive for Carter. First-round defeats in Malta and Newport by McManus and Alfie Burden respectively have been a source of frustration for the talented Englishman.

At least he saved his season by beating Michael Judge in the final round of qualifying for Sheffield. He is provisionally ranked number 15 in the world but will have to beat Stephen Lee to cement his position. It is a tall order but definitely no forlorn hope.

Prediction: First-round checkout