Scot Stephen Maguire insists he will be ready to defend his Northern Ireland Trophy title despite a rib injury.

Maguire defeated Fergal O'Brien 9-5 in last year's final after seeing off Shaun Murphy, Peter Ebdon, Ding Junhui and David Gray in previous rounds but suffered his injury playing badminton with practise partner Marcus Campbell.

However, the world number two says he will be back to his best in time for the trip to Belfast on August 24th and there will be "no excuses" if he does not perform.

The 'Merlin of Milton' told www.worldsnooker.com: "I was playing badminton with Marcus and I fell over hard and landed with my hand pushing into my ribs.

"At the time it wasn't really painful, but then a couple of days later I woke up and it was very sore, I couldn't even sit up.

"I've been to the doctor but they won't give me an x-ray because even if the ribs are cracked, there's nothing you can do about it except rest.

"There are a couple of shots I can't play at the moment, but it should be perfect by the time we go to Belfast, I'll have no excuses."

The 27-year-old also won the China Open last season, but suffered a surprise defeat to Joe Perry in the quarter-finals of the World Championship in Sheffield.

But Maguire was pleased with his season and hopes to continue his progress this year.

He said: "Overall I was very pleased. I won two tournaments and got to No 2 in the world. I had half a chance at No 1, but Ronnie O'Sullivan took that and he deserves it because he's the best player.

"If I stay in the top four then that's ok, although even if I finished No 3 I'd be a bit disappointed to have gone down.

"And to win at least one more tournament. I also want prepare well for the Worlds and give it a really good shot.

"I want to win that one within the next couple of years."

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