Selby in fitness regime

"I will be doing a lot of running in the weeks leading up to it," said Selby, ranked fourth in the world. "I've got a treadmill at home so I'll spend time on it, and I'll be running on the roads around where I live.

The 'Jester from Leicester', who has gone deep into the Crucible tournament in previous seasons, said that stamina was key to success.

"Nothing compares to the World Championship in terms of the physical test," Selby explained. "Last year I got to the semi-finals and I felt drained, I had nothing left, and lost to Graeme Dott.

"A lot depends on how close your matches are in the early rounds. If you can win comfortably then you can conserve energy.

"Sheffield is a different test but I've been to the latter stages before so I know what to expect. My form has been good recently so now it's matter of making sure I peak at the right time."

Selby begins his campaign with a first-round match against Jimmy Robertson, who will be competing in his first ranking event.

"I played him in one of the PTC events this season but otherwise I've not seen anything of him," said two-time Masters champion Selby. "He's done well to get through the qualifiers but I have the experience and hopefully I will use that to my advantage.

"I remember my Crucible debut in 2005, I lost 10-5 to John Higgins and it was very nerve-racking. The seats are so close to the table and the crowd seem to be right on top of you."

"To be World Champion is my number one goal in snooker," added the 27-year-old. "Until I win it, that will always be my main target."