However, China's' Zhang Jike, the reigning world champion and double gold medal winner from this summer's Olympics in London, will not be present.

Instead, he is replaced by compatriot Ma Long (pictured), the world number two who was a member of the Chinese team that won the gold medals at London 2012, who a year ago boasted a 51 match unbeaten run and comes into the tournament a strong favourite.

Long will join another Chinese player, Xu Xin, in search of victory at the tournament, which takes place in Liverpool at the Echo Arena.

Also missing out is Singapore's Gao Ning, the world number 15, who is replaced by France's Adrien Mattenet.

Timo Boll of Germany will arrive in Liverpool also hopeful of winning the event for a third time, and comes off the back of a bronze medal in the team event at London 2012 to go with the silver medal he won at Beijing in 2008.

Boll and Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, both former world number ones, will be among the favourites to challenge the Chinese, as will Boll's compatriot, London 2012 singles bronze medallist Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

Germany's double Olympic medallist Timo Boll will be seeking his third Liebherr World Cup title at Liverpool

Among the rest of the field are Chinese Taipei's Chuang Chih-Yuan; South Korea's Joo Se-Hyuk and Oh Sang-Eun; Jiang Tianyi of Hong Kong; Romania's Adrian Crişan and Marcos Freitas of Portugal, who all qualified thanks to their world rankings.

Thiago Monteiro of Brazil was awarded the Latin American spot, Africa's representative is Ahmed Saleh of Egypt, Australia's William Henzell represents his nation and Pierre-Luc Thériault Canada.

Olympians Paul Drinkhall and wild card Liam Pitchford will represent the hosts.

The other wild card spot went to Michael Maze of Denmark.

The winner of the Men's World Cup will take home $45,000 (£28,000/€35,000) and the runner up $25,000 (£15,000/€19,000), with the tournament due con conclude on Sunday (September 30).

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