Nigel Bond is relishing his return to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre for this year's World Snooker Championship.

The 43-year-old Derbyshire cueman, a beaten finalist in 1995, faces former world champion Peter Ebdon in the first round on Tuesday.

And Bond, who lives in Old Tupton, told BBC East Midlands Today: "It's every player's dream to play there.

"The crowd are really on top of you and it creates a fantastic atmosphere to play snooker in."

Bond lost to Stephen Hendry 18-9 in the final 14 years ago, but went on to win the British Open a year later.

Two years ago I was very fortunate to beat Nigel. He played better than me. Peter Ebdon

He added: "Unfortunately I met the nuisance called Stephen during the 90s when he was firing and he was unstoppable.

"But it was great achievement to reach the final."

And he hopes he can start another good Crucible run by disposing of Ebdon.

"When the draw came out I thought 'that's not a bad draw' but then he went and won the China Open," Bond explained.

Meanwhile Ebdon, who beat Bond 10-7 in the opening round two years ago, says he knows he will be in a for a very tough match and cannot afford to look beyond Tuesday's first-round encounter.

"My main threat at the moment is Nigel Bond," Ebdon said. "Two years ago I was very fortunate to win.

"I felt after that game that he'd played better than me so I'm under no illusions, I'll have a very tough match in my first round and I need to prepare 100% for it."

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