Stephen Hendry’s new coach has revealed the seven-times world champion is working to play to the same standard as a current top 16 player.

The Scot shocked the world of snooker earlier this year when he announced he would be returning to the professional game after retiring from the sport eight years ago.

Hendry, one of snooker’s most successful stars, is expected to make his anticipated return to the tour circuit in the near future – but no date has yet been announced.

In an interview with the World Snooker Tour, Hendry’s new coach Stephen Feeney says the pair are working hard to get his game back to a “top 16” standard.

Feeney has worked with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and has helped turn the likes of Stuart Bingham and Mark Williams into world champions.

You can read the full interview here.

Feeney said: “My view with Stephen is that we want to get him back into top 16 status with the standard of his play as soon as possible. That is the only way that we can be comfortable. Every practice session is geared and targeted that way and we are working hard.

“I look at it as a fairly exciting opportunity ahead. There is a fair bit of responsibility, in terms of delivering on promises. Stephen has trusted me in terms of what I’ve said I believe can be done. I trust in him as the individual and champion that he is. Is there stuff to prove? There probably is. The fans will love to see him play. Many of the pros will be waiting for proof. We are well aware of that.

“There are some top players who will believe Stephen can never win another ranking title again. When people say to me things can’t be done I tend to think, lets have a go. Can he? There is incredible skill there. He is a seven-time World Champion and we will see how the journey evolves.”

The world’s current top 16

• 1. Judd Trump
• 2. Ronnie O’Sullivan
• 3. Neil Robertson
• 4. Mark Selby
• 5. Mark Allen
• 6. Kyren Wilson
• 7. Shaun Murphy
• 8. John Higgins
• 9. Stephen Maguire
• 10. Ding Junhui
• 11. David Gilbert
• 12. Yan Bingtao
• 13. Stuart Bingham
• 14. Mark Williams
• 15. Jack Lisowski
• 16. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh