Another four spaces on the professional snooker circuit have been snapped up with the conclusion of Q School event two.
Following event two where four players secured immediate returns, there were two more players who did the same this time plus two newer faces who join the ranks ahead of the new season.
The Sportsman looks at the newbies who came through the gruelling qualifying rounds in Burton.
Jordan Brown - The Northern Irishman is back in the big time after an eight-year absence from the professional tour. After getting within one match of earning his place in event one, he go the job done in event two courtesy of victories against the experienced Andy Hicks and Jamie Cope.
Brown is most well-known for being a regular practice partner of Masters champion Mark Allen and followed up his qualification by saying how much he owes to his Antrim pal.
Zhao Xintong - The 21-year old cueman sealed an immediate return to the tour with a final round victory over Thailand’s Dechewat Poomjaeng who lost at the last hurdle for the second event in succession.
Zhao is regarded as one of China’s best raw young talents but as yet has not fulfilled his promise with consistent results on the professional scene. Having already reached the last 16 of ranking event son his five occasions, there’s no doubting his potential but after this setback it’s time to really prove himself.
Craig Steadman - After threats of retirement last season, Steadman has rallied himself and is back among the game’s elite. He beat Sheffield’s Adam Duffy to seal his place and can now prepare for his seventh straight season as a professional.
Steadman is a steely hard professional who if he can recapture his form from just a few years back could be a real dangerman for the top 64 seeds in the first round matches next season.
Lu Ning - Lu is getting ready for his second stint on the circuit and will really feel as though he has some unfinished business after failing to make much of an impression on his previous tour years between 2014 and 2016.
He had to come through a tough final match against Mitchell Mann to get the job done and
