Snooker: Glover disappointed with form following World Tour return

But the 36-year-old - who tumbled out of the UK Snooker Championship at the first round stage last week - has vowed to knuckle down on the practice table in a bid to find his feet on the world stage.

Glover lost 6-1 to China’s Xiao Guodong at the Barbican to bow out of what is considered one of snooker’s ‘triple crown’ events, along with the World Championship and the Masters.

“After a performance like that I need to be practicing, not wasting time, so I will be straight back on the practice table,” he said.

“I’m not playing to my potential at all this season – I’ve got a lot of work to do in order to find my game and try to compete with these players.

“It’s my first year on the Tour and it’s tough to make that step up – there’s a massive, massive difference in standard.

“For the lower-ranked players to play against the top guys is a huge leap. I’ve just got to get that inside my head and get used to it though.

“It’s nice to have that security of a two-year tour card and it’s fantastic what Barry [Hearn] has done for the game,” he added.

“It gives everybody a chance but I just need to start playing better.”

Guodong burst into a 5-0 lead in York before world No.109 Glover, of Belton, could really get into his stride.

“I’m really disappointed with my performance but Guodong played brilliantly in the first four frames,” he said.

“I had a few chances that I let slip when we came back after the interval, which I’m frustrated about, but I have to give credit to my opponent – he’s a fantastic player.

“You can’t take anything away from him but I’m disappointed with my own performance.

“It was my first time at the UK Championship and it was absolutely fantastic. There was a great atmosphere in the arena and it has just made me want to come back next year.”