PICKERING snooker pro Paul Davison starts his bid for world glory tomorrow hoping for a lifeline to keep him on the Main Tour.

The number of players on the Main Tour is due to be cut next season unless a there is a change of heart by the snooker authorities meeting this week.

The lower ranking Challenge Tour is due to be scrapped and replaced by a Pontin's qualifying school.

But, if a proposal to keep the present number of Main Tour players is agreed then Davison has a good chance of retaining his place.

If the number is cut to 64 as scheduled then he would need to win all his World Championship qualifying matches and get through to the final stages in Sheffield next spring to save his Main Tour slot.

World Championship matches are worth double points in the tournament structure, so each victory would boost his chances depending on the performances of other players.

"If the Main Tour number is kept as it is then I would probably need to win only one or maybe two qualifying round matches to be safe," he said.

The first opponent for Davison, ranked 90 in the world, at Prestatyn is Londoner Leo Fernandez, the world number 67. World Championship matches are best of 19 frames.

"I'm going up to Hartlepool for a practice with Mike Dunn, who reached the last 16 of the Malta Cup recently," said Filey Snooker Club-based Davison.

"I feel confident with my form. I've lost a couple of matches only 5-4 and the two-session 19 frame matches gives you a chance to settle in."

Davison hopes to resume his junior coaching at York's Castle Snooker Club shortly, following his World Championship qualifying schedule.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, February 24, 2005