Mark Allen has pulled out of the World Mixed Doubles this weekend due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Mark Selby.
Allen was supposed to play with Rebecca Kenna, but now Selby will play with her for the second season in a row after they made it to the final last time.
Selby lost the final in 2022 to Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut, who are both returning for the 2024 event.
The other two teams are Judd Trump paired with Baipat Siripaporn and Luca Brecel teaming up with Reanne Evans.
Kenna and Selby will face Trump and Baipat in the first match at 1pm on Saturday at Manchester Central, followed by Brecel and Evans versus Robertson and Mink.
Allen is still scheduled to compete at the Tour Championship next week in Manchester, where he is set to play against John Higgins in the opening round on Monday.
Selby is also set to compete on Monday at the Tour Championship, playing Gary Wilson over two sessions on the opening day and Tuesday.
Kenna admitted that she struggled to enjoy the event last season due to nerves, but will strive to enjoy it this time round, and may well be boosted by a return of a familiar partner.
‘I’m very excited this time round. I was a lot more nervous last time but I’m more settled now,’ Kenna told Metro.co.uk. ‘It was right at the start of my journey on tour, so it was a bit overwhelming last time, I’m just looking forward to it this time.
‘It was such a great event last time and everyone seemed to like it and it’s one of the last big events [on tour] for me.
Asked if she managed to enjoy it at all last season, she said: ‘I don’t think I did, you know.
‘I enjoyed a lot of the things about it and obviously getting to the final, but I was just really low on confidence. I think I didn’t really play my normal attacking game, I was just so in awe of everyone around me I was worried about pushing the boat out.
‘Now I’ve learned over time you’ve got to play your own game. I’m more confident as a player now so hopefully I’ll be able to go out and attack more and feel more confident in my own shot selections.’
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