World Ranking: 26
Provisional Ranking: 20
Date Of Birth: 28/07/71
World Championship best: Last 32 - 1999, 2003

Now well into his 30s, Ian McCulloch is something of a late bloomer.

His best career performance to date came at the 2002 British Open when he knocked out Mark Williams, John Higgins, Steven Maguire, Graeme Dott and James Wattana before falling at the final hurdle to Paul Hunter.

McCulloch has continued to push his ranking up this season and a good showing at the Crucible - where he will be making his third appearance - could lift him into the top 16 for the first time.

Attributes much of his upturn to sports psychologist Graeme Slater.

Comes into the event in fine fettle after a run to the last eight of the Players Championship in Glasgow, giving him some confidence for his first-round clash with former champion Peter Ebdon.

Qualified by beating former runner-up Nigel Bond 10-7.