Mark Allen heads to Sheffield today aiming to establish himself in the top 16 of the rankings at the World Snooker Championships.

The 22-year-old has been handed a tough first round draw at the Crucible against seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry but is confident he can continue his recent good form which saw him reach the quarter-finals of the China Open before losing to Shaun Murphy.

Allen splits his time between his native Ireland and Gornal, where he lives with his girlfriend, the world ladies snooker number one Reanne Evans.

He plays for both Baggeridge Social Club and Sedgley when in the area.

And he has travelled to Yorkshire early to give himself maximum time to prepare before his match starts on Sunday afternoon.

Allen has faced Hendry twice before, losing the first but beating the Scotsman in the UK Championships last December.

“I’m pretty confident because I’ve been playing quite well this season,” said Allen.“I’ve given myself the best possible chance by preparing right but it’s all down to how you play on the day and I’m looking forward to it.

“I think name wise it’s probably the toughest draw and it puts you under a little bit more pressure but I have to concentrate on my own game.I know I’m capable of beating anybody but playing someone like Stephen will be tough. Before the season started I set myself to get into the top 16 and I think I’m now 15 or 16 in the rankings.

“I’m going there to try and win the tournament but I think a realistic goal is to win a few matches and cement that ranking.”

Allen made his first appearance at the Crucible last year and sprung one of the shocks of the tournament with a 10-7 victory over former champion Ken Doherty. He eventually went out in the last 16 to Matthew Stevens.

But he feels he will be better prepared this time having had the experience of last year.

“I think a lot of the players still get excited by going to the Crucible but playing there last year should settle me down,” added Allen.

Should Allen go through, the winner of the Marco Fu and Dung Junhui match awaits in the last 16.