Gunnell on Song for finals

The 34-year-old meets Liu Song of China in the fourth qualifying round at Prestatyn, requiring two wins to reach the famous Crucible Theatre for the first time.

But Gunnell admits he is not looking beyond the opening game in a tournament which has the added significance of carrying double ranking points.

"It's a big game and, as usual, the whole season comes down to how you do in the World Championships," said Telford-based Gunnell.

"I have had a pretty good season anyway and if I win this game, it will have become a fantastic season.

"But I'm seeing it as a positive pressure this time around. In the past, I've been in the situation where if I'd lost this game I could have dropped off the main tour and my career would have been over.

"It's not like that this time but it's still a massive game because if I win, I probably guarantee my place on the tour for a couple of years and it gives me a phenomenal chance of reaching the top 32 next year.

"It's still every player's dream to reach the Crucible but I'm not attaching so much significance to that this year.

"If I had one win left in me this season, I would take it tomorrow."

Not that Gunnell has had the ideal preparation for the clash after working his way through four different tips in the last week.

"I've settled on one now so it's not a major issue," he added