Since defeating Ricky Walden in the last 32 of the Grand Prix in October, White has failed to win a match. In fact, his 5-4 defeat to Barry Pinches in the following round was easily the closest he came to recording another victory all season.

As popular as the 43-year-old is, his fans have barely had anything to cheer about at all. Even in the Premier League - a format suited to his quick style of play - his form was wretched.

As if a 9-3 thrashing by Ding Junhui at York was not bad enough, White was dispatched 5-0 by Ryan Day in Newport in little over an hour.

Naturally, after five consecutive world finals in the 1990s the Crucible has a special place in the Whirlwind's heart. But sentiment aside, he is going to struggle to get past the first round.

If he does indeed fall at the first hurdle, he will end up enduring not one but two rounds of qualifying to make it back to his beloved Sheffield next year.

Prediction: First-round checkout