Shropshire’s Adrian Gunnell is one match away from a meeting with rising snooker sensation Ding Junhui on home territory.

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That enticing proposition moved a step closer reality when Gunnell defeated David Roe 9-4 in the penultimate qualifying stage of the UK Championships, which will be held at Telford’s International Centre next month.

But any thoughts of a clash with Chinese superstar Ding are on the backburner with Gunnell facing arguably the toughest possible task in final qualifying at Prestatyn tomorrow – a best-of-19-frames meeting with former UK Champion Matthew Stevens.

The Welshman – a twice world finalist – has suffered a slump over the last two years and has dropped out of the top 16.

But he has shown signs of a revival this term – he is currently provisionally 13th – and Gunnell is aware of his opponent’s precocious talents.

“Matthew has had a tough time but he should never be out of the top eight – he’s a class act,” he said.

“I will have to be at my very best to beat him but I have been playing well. I could only play as well as the tables would allow me yesterday because it was the worst one I have ever played on.

“But hopefully the tables will improve by tomorrow and my performance levels can move up as well.

“I would love to be playing at Telford.”