Selby Seeded As Walker Limps Out Of British Nationals

Essex's Daryl Selby has been promoted to a seeded position in next week's British National Championships in Manchester following the last-minute withdrawal of Alister Walker, the 14th seed from Gloucestershire.

Leeds-based Walker is suffering with an ankle injury which requires surgery.

Selby has been named as 16th seed and will face a qualifier in the first round. The 23-year-old from Witham, near Colchester, broke into the world top 50 in January and celebrated a career-high No 46 world ranking this month.

Yorkshireman Laurence Delasaux also benefits from Walker's withdrawal. The 20-year-old former European Junior champion from Hull, who celebrated his second international Tour title in Oxfordshire last month, is elevated from the qualifiers to take on Essex's No6 seed Peter Barker in the first round.

The 2006 men's and women's British National Championships, boasting world-class fields from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, will take place at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester from 7-12 February, after qualifying on Sunday and Monday (5/6 February).