The nine-day championships, at the National Squash Centre in Manchester's Sportcity, starts on October 11.

Willstrop, the 25-year-old former world junior champion, has enjoyed a fine 12 months, having reached eight PSA Tour finals.

He is joined by 10 other British players in the main draw and is set to meet Scot John White in the second round and, if successful, close friend and former world number one Lee Beachill in the third.

Sheffield's Nick Matthew, Britain's second-highest seeded player at number eight, bounced back to form after a long injury lay-off with a brilliant victory in the Dutch Open and is set to meet young Egyptian squash sensation Ramy Ashour (seeded four) in the quarters.

Defending and three-time world champion Amr Shabana is once again seeded to regain his title and become only the fourth man after the great Jansher Khan, Jahangir Khan and Geoff Hunt to win the World Open for a fourth occasion.

France's Gregory Gaultier, a runner-up in the last two World Opens, is seeded two, while compatriot and 2004 winner Thierry Lincou has been seeded four.

Two-time winner David Palmer (2002 and 2006) from Australia is the number five seed and could meet Willstrop in the quarter finals.

There will be plenty to cheer on for the home crowd with London's Peter Barker (seeded 12) and Adrian Grant (seeded 14), joined by Joey Barrington – son of six-time British Open winner Jonah – Alister Walker (Chapel Allerton, Leeds), Chris Ryder (Wolverhampton) and Daryl Selby (Witham).

A wildcard has also been given to 22-year-old Tom Richards from Walton-on-Thames.

British number one Willstrop said: "This is the biggest tournament for any player and there's a huge sense of anticipation.

"For me, it will be extra special as it will be like playing in my own back garden.

"The National Squash Centre is just an hour from where I live and I'm familiar with the court and the place. As an English player I couldn't ask for any more.

"Manchester has an outstanding reputation for putting on top sporting events."

Matthew said: "It was great to get back into action after a nine-month lay-off. I had a tear in the ligament in my shoulder and it was at least three months before I could even hold a plate, so to win my first event back is a real bonus.

"I'll be competing in Paris later this month so I'll go into the World Open with some decent games under my belt."

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