The Frenchman, a 2011 Qatar Classic winner and a runner-up last year, picked up the injury during his quarter-final match with Egyptian Tarek Momen in Cairo last week.

As a result, the 33-year-old was forced to withdraw from his semi-final clash with Egypt's Ramy Ashour.

His ankle problem is the latest in what has been an terrible year for the Frenchman in terms of injuries.

Gaultier has already spent two months on the sidelines after damaging ligaments on the same ankle during January’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.

Following Gaultier's withdrawal, Egypt's Omar Mosaad replaces the Frenchman as the number two seed and will now play England’s Daryl Selby in round one.

Another Englishman, 2009 Qatar Classic winner Nick Matthew, moves up to the number four position and will play tournament wildcard Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi of Qatar.

Momen moves up to become the new number eight seed and will face a qualifier, with Hong Kong’s Leo Au moving into the main draw where he too will lock horns with a qualifier in the opening round.

The qualifying stages of the 2016 Qatar Classic are due to take place on Saturday and Sunday (November 11 and 12), while the main draw begins a day later, with the final taking place on November 18.

Newly-crowned World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt will once again be in action in Qatar and he opens his campaign with a match against an unknown qualifier.

World number one Mohamed Elshorbagy will be looking to get over his World Championship disappointment and he is due to face Australia's Cameron Pilley in round one.