By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 28
Date Of Birth: 22/09/65
Form: R32/R32/R16/R32/R48
World Championship best: Quarter-finalist - 1988

The Maltese star returns to Sheffield and as always will add colour to the proceedings with his flamboyant performances.

His `no holes barred' approach makes him a popular player with the spectators.

Wearing his emotions on his sleeve you can guarantee an entertaining performance whoever the opponent.

His performances are high tempo and he is probably the quickest player on the circuit once achieving a frame victory in just over two minutes.

Last year Drago was `devastated' to lose in the qualifiers to Robert Milkins and made sure of no repeat performance this term.

He clinically disposed of Devon's Andy Hicks 10-2 to set up a first round meeting with Ireland's Joe Swail.

His best World Championship performance came in 1988 when he was soundly beaten 13-4 by Steve Davis in the quarter-finals.

In fact Drago has a fond inkling for the quarter-finals of competition as up till 1997 he had reached nine ranking event quarter's but had failed to progress any further.

His tenth appearance proved to be more profitable as he ventured two stages further before losing 9-1 to Stephen Hendry in the International Open Final.

This still remains Drago's most successful ranking event tournament to date.

His ability cannot be questioned although his temperament fluctuates and is the main reason behind his lack of success at the business end of tournaments.

His form this season has been steady with results achieved in the majority of his qualifying matches although inroads have not been made against the higher ranked players.

This is confirmed in his provisional ranking which has witnessed little change from his starting position of 28.

In all Drago has the credentials to make an impact although his temperament in the big occasions has proved a stumbling block in the past.