GARY Rogers has set his sights on causing a stir at the World Professional Billiards Championship next month - but he is going to have to shock the title-holder to do it.

The Tadcaster-based cueman is one of 16 entrants in the sport's premier competition, which is being held at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

Having only recently returned to the professional ranks after a number of years away, Rogers has managed to draw world champion Mike Russell as part of his four-man round-robin group.

He will also face former world finalist Devendra Joshi and Austria's Michael Kreuziger in his Group A' contests - and is well aware of the stiff challenge he faces.

"I started playing billiards in the mid-1990s - mainly as a hobby - and the more I practised the better I got," Rogers said. "By the end of the decade, I had qualified to play for England. I played in the amateur championships and then decided to turn professional.

"It's been quite a challenge to come back. When I packed in, I sold my cue and I have had to get a new one but there are signs that my old form is coming through.

"I know Mike Russell well. He was very good to me as an amateur and I have played him in a couple of small games in the past. It is an honour to play the world champion and I will certainly give it a good go. I think I've got my work cut out."

With only three balls in play, successful billiards players need to have exceptional control of the cueball to amass the huge breaks needed to beat the top players.

Rogers explained: "I played snooker to a reasonable local standard but I didn't know what positional play was until I took up billiards. You never stop learning the game, however good you are, and it seems to suit me. It's a fascinating game."

Only just getting back into the routine of regular practice, Rogers will need to be at the top of his game to make a real impression in the five-day tournament, from July 23 to 27, but he says he is positive about his chances.

"In the round-robin group, I have got Kreuziger and Joshi so it will be a tough group but I have got to expect that. I am hoping to do the best I can. I'll certainly be giving it my best shot," he said.

"During July, I will be practising every day - hopefully putting in several hours a day at the tables - and that will bring my game on. I'm a little up and down at the moment.

"I feel fairly positive and we will have to see how we go. Hopefully, I can do well this year but I will definitely be back next year."