Gerard Greene returns to the World Snooker Championships for the first time in four years and he’s determined to make up for lost time.

After three first round exits, the last coming in 2005, the world number 33 from Rainham is determined to cause a shock in tomorrow’s (Saturday) opening round against last year’s beaten finalist Ali Carter.

The 35-year-old beat 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the qualifiers and heads to Sheffield’s famous Crucible Theatre full of confidence.

Greene said: "He’s (Carter) going to be under pressure because he made the final last year and hopefully he’ll be over-confident and will come unstuck.

"He might be thinking that he can win all day long but he might be in for a big shock."

Greene has played Carter once before in the British Open and emerged victorious.

"He knows I can beat him if I am on my game," said Greene. "I’ve yet to get past the first weekend and if I play well I’ve got a good chance.

"I want to try and nick the first frame, relax and take my chances when I get them and cut out the mistakes which I’m prone to making. If I can do that then I fancy my chances. He’ll have to play really well to beat me."

Greene’s first two appearances in the world finals were against defending champions. He lost to John Higgins in 1999 and Peter Ebdon in 2003, and most recently lost a close-fought match against Steve Davis 10-9 in 2005.

Carter lost heavily to Ronnie O’Sullivan in last year’s final and was nearly knocked out by Greene’s friend and fellow first-round qualifier Barry Hawkins, from Dartford.

Greene begins his match at 7pm on Saturday and resumes at 2.30pm on Sunday.