The 37-year-old has never reached the final at the Crucible, but comes into the Sheffield competition in form after winning last month's Players Tour Championship in Ireland.

Lee is pleased with his performances in recent months and now cuts a frustrated figure waiting for the tournament to commence on April 21st.

"I'm looking forward to it," he told Sky Sports. "It's the biggest tournament in the calendar.

"I've put a good little run together in the last couple of months so I'm quietly confident.

"I think all the players look forward to this event. It's just a case of the quicker it's here the better. I don't like waiting around.

Class act

"The crucible is the home of snooker, there's no doubt about it."

John Higgins has got the better of Lee in recent head-to-head matches and the Wilshire-born player knows the four-time winner is a 'class act'.

However, Lee is focusing on his own game and after a few disappointing showings in Sheffield he is looking to show his best form at the one they all want to win.

"He's been a bit of thorn in my side, but I think he's been a thorn in a lot of people's sides," Lee added on Higgins.

"John's a class act it's as simple as that. You know what you get with him. It's a tough game and you've got to play your best.

"I know what it takes out of players to compete in the world championship. John's been good enough to win it four times.

"It's a tough tournament to win. I want to put a few ghosts to bed. It's not been great for me for the past couple of years in all honesty because I wasn't in the place I am in now.

"I haven't done myself justice in the last four or five years so I'm hoping to really crack on this year. I'm going to give it my best go."