Stephen Hendry has been warned he must make a full-time commitment if he is chalking up his cue for a serious second shot at the sport he once dominated.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has given seven-time world champion Hendry, who retired two years ago, and six-time winner Steve Davis a side-door entry on to the professional tour for the next two years.

Although the pair will not receive full tour cards, the door is open for them to play at a number of tournaments.

They could also be competing at the Crucible next year after Hearn said all living former world champions would be invited to play in qualifying rounds for next year's tournament.

Hendry, 45, and Davis, 56, will face qualifying events before the big stage beckons under the terms of Hearn's offer and if those are full with the 128 players who earn tour cards by right, then neither will be invited.

But reigning world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan believes Hendry would struggle if he keeps his current commitments, which include promoting pool in China, alongside a snooker comeback.

O'Sullivan said: "As you get older it's not easy to find the motivation to put in your three or four hours of practice.

"If Stephen came back and found a bit of form he might take it to the next level - which would require three or four hours of practice a day and giving up doing commentating, the exhibition circuit and the trips he does to China."

Hong Kong's Marco Fu beat Martin Gould of England 10-7 in the first round of the 2014 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible last night.

Seventh seed Judd Trump made the second round after scraping through 10-8 against fellow Englishman Tom Ford.

Earlier in the day, last year's runner-up Barry Hawkins beat David Gilbert 10-4. He fought back from 4-2 down to win eight frames in row.