TROY DEENEY was forced to pull out of the UK Open Pool Championship after an emergency trip to hospital.

The former Premier League footballer withdrew from the 256-player tournament in Telford at the last-minute after suffering a freak injury in boxing training.

Deeney, 35, was set to play two matches as a wildcard, including a first-round clash against world No.31 Marc Bijsterbosch from the Netherlands.

But hospital scans showed that the former Watford striker had dislocated two knuckles and suffered ligament damage in his hand on Tuesday morning.

Deeney remarked that “It’s been a bad day” and then added on social media: “Truly gutted that I’ve had to pull out of the BetVictor UK Open Pool Championship.

“A trip to A&E this morning has revealed I’ve got two dislocated knuckles and ligament damage in my hand after some boxing training this morning pre-event.

“I’m genuinely so frustrated as I was really looking forward to getting out there.

“Huge thank you to the World Nineball Tour and CueTec for the support in my preparation.

“And I wish everyone the best of luck at the tournament which I’m sure will be a huge success.”

Deeney accepted a wildcard for the event after being approached by promoters of the World Nineball Tour to get involved on an invitational basis.

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He was excited to take part and has always been a fan of the sport, often playing his former team-mates at the training ground during his career.

Deeney is not the only sportsman to switch to pool for the tournament, as World Snooker Championship semi-finalist Stuart Bingham is set to take part.

Former world snooker champion Bingham takes on Frazer Patrick, while Tyson Fury’s boxing brother Roman Fury faces Ahmed Taufiq of Brunei.