Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald admits uncertainty over team selections amid ongoing LIV Golf battle

The next edition of the biennial match play tournament is just a year away but the host team's preparations have been severely disrupted as a result of the ongoing saga surrounding the new breakaway LIV Golf series.

The first major blow came in July when the original European captain, Henrik Stenson, was stripped of his role following his decision to join LIV.

His place was ultimately taken by new captain Donald, but Stenson's defection was just the start, with the likes of Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Bernd Wiesberger and former vice-captains Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell all jumping ship as well.

Currently, LIV golfers are not barred from participating in the Ryder Cup, although it remains a likely eventuality.

The DP World Tour is currently awaiting the outcome of a legal battle set into motion after they tried to bar the LIV players from competing in DP World Tour events, and it is likely the ban will be extended to the Ryder Cup if they are successful in their attempt.

Meanwhile, even if the rebels are technically allowed to participate, it doesn't mean they'll be welcome.

In fact, European No 1 Rory McIlroy made it clear he would not want them to be part of the team.

"I don't think any of those guys should be on the Ryder Cup team," he said rather bluntly at Wentworth last week.

As a result, Donald has admitted he's still very much in the dark when it comes to what his team is going to look like.

"Nothings that really changed since I was appointed back in August," he told Sky Sports.

"We're still a little bit in limbo. We don't know what's going to happen with the lawsuit so I'm trying to not really put too much energy. Once we get a clearer picture, I can give you better answers."

Europe have enjoyed a lot of success in the Ryder Cup in recent years but were well beaten at Whistling Straits last time around.

The US team is also likely to be significantly weakened in Italy next year, however, as some of their biggest stars have also joined LIV, including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.