Shropshire snooker star Adrian Gunnell heads to Sheffield tomorrow – aiming to chalk up a return to the steel city next month.Gunnell meets Nottingham’s Michael Holt in the final qualifying round of the World Championships at the English Institute of Sport.

Victory over one of the game’s leading young players would see him book a place at the famous Crucible Theatre for the first time ever.

Reaching the Crucible has long since been an ambition for Gunnell, who saw his dream cruelly snatched away in 2004 when he was leading Mark King 8-4 in the final qualifier, only to collapse and lose 10-8.

But the Telford green baize specialist insists he is putting less pressure on the match this time.

“WIn or lose it’s been a really good season and it would just be the icing on the cake if I do win it,” said Gunnell.

“I’ve gone past the targets for this season but obviously it will still be great to reach the Crucible.

“I know Michael well and we are good mates. I’m one of the players who have tried to give him a bit of guidance over the last few years.

“He’s a very good player and he’s reached the Crucible twice. But getting there been a big thing for him too. I remember the night I lost to Mark King, Michael also collapsed against Anthony Hamilton.

“He was 9-5 up and ended up losing 10-9 and Hamilton said he knew how hard it would be for Michael to cross the line because of what getting to the Crucible meant to him.”

Tomorrow’s best of 19-frame encounter will be played over two sessions at 10am and 4pm.

By James Garrison