Gunnell targets Telford – and revenge

Shropshire's Adrian Gunnell is plotting a revenge mission on six-times world snooker champion Steve Davis – for the right to reach the UK Championship in his home town of Telford.

Gunnell was beaten 5-4 by Davis in the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Glasgow last week.

And the two are now on collision course for the start of December for the right to qualify for the sport's second biggest tournament, which will be held at Telford's International Centre in the week before Christmas.

Gunnell must beat either Andy Lee, Matthew Salt and Liu Song to set up a meeting with Davis in the final qualifier at Sheffield.

And should he come through that, a meeting with Chinese sensation Ding Junhui awaits in Telford.

That would be a repeat of last year's first round tie when Gunnell was beaten 9-3 in front of his home supporters.

"I'm happy with the draw and really looking forward to it," said the 36-year-old, who will attempt to qualify for the Bahrain Championship next week.

"Obviously Ding would be a really tough match but there's no point looking that far ahead.

"It would be great to get to Telford again and it's a big one with massive ranking points and prizemoney."

That UK Championship is crucial to Gunnell's quest to reach the top 32.