By Saj Chowdhury

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Replay: Davis wins 1981 Crucible crown

Veteran Steve Davis has vowed to carry on playing top-level snooker, despite being faced with the prospect of playing qualifiers next season.

The six-time world champion, the oldest player on the main tour at 50, will drop out of the top 16 next season, having endured a poor campaign.

"There's no shame in playing in the qualifiers because a lot of top players compete in them," he told BBC Sport.

"It will always be my challenge to go down kicking and screaming."

He added: "My job next year will be a slightly different one.

"I'll actually be getting more match practice and that might help me get some form going."

What's most important is not winning the tournament but making sure I don't have to sit next to John Parrott Steve Davis

Davis turned professional in 1978 and won his first world title three years later, with an 18-12 win over Doug Mountjoy.

His last world crown came in 1989 when he thrashed John Parrott, now his colleague on the BBC Snooker pundits' sofa, 18-3.

Although his form suggests he will not upset the bookmakers at the world championship, which starts on Saturday, The Nugget believes experience and low expectations will aid him.

"I've only won a couple of matches in ranking events, so coming into this event I've had little match practice," he stated.

"If I was going to analyse my own chances then I would think I'm someone who won't do much, having not shown much ability this season.

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"On the plus side, I haven't got much to lose, which is a bonus in the pressure cooker of the Crucible Theatre. I'm going there to enjoy the challenge rather than worry about it.

"And who knows? I've shown I'm a decent match player at Sheffield and if I get a good start and settle down then I'll be in good shape."

Davis joked: "Of course, what's most important is not winning the tournament but making sure I don't have to sit next to John Parrott.

"The longer I stay in the tournament, the less time I have to spend listening to his horseracing stories."