BOLTON snooker ace Craig Steadman has potted himself a place in the IDSF World Championships in Jordan next week after leading England to victory in the Home Internationals.

Steadman has been invited to the Middle East competition on the back of his success as captain of the England team that won the Home Internationals for the first time in a number of years earlier this month.

"To lead England to victory was very special," said Steadman. "A squad of 10 was selected for the event, but only six played in the matches and I managed to be picked for all my games.

"The added bonus was that I won every game too.

"It means I get to go to Jordan and compete in a very important tournament. I want to do well over there because a good performance will go a long way to helping me achieve my dream of getting on the pro circuit."

Steadman, who plays at Cuemasters in Walkden, was an agonising one place away from making the cut for the professional circuit last season, and hopes to go one better this time.

"Before I go to Jordan, I will be playing in a ranking event in Birmingham this weekend so I will be looking to win a few games there to gain some confidence," said Steadman.

"Last weekend, I got to the semi-finals of a ranking tournament in Leeds and I also got to the quarter-finals of the European Championships in Romania earlier this year against some very good players, so I know that my game is coming along."

Now 24, Steadman turned pro when he was 17 and reckons he has seen a steady improvement in his game every year.

He added: "Last year, I got to the semi-finals of four ranking competitions and one final. My previous best was a quarter-final the year before.

"I think I have reached a certain level now and it's more about my mental approach and experience.

"I can deal with certain situations better now, and that is purely down to getting older and more experienced. I'm a lot calmer now, and I am more relaxed in pressure situations."

In a bid to reach the next level, Steadman has enlisted the help of crack coach Del Hill.

"I met Del when I was playing in Romania, and he will be travelling with me to Jordan," said Steadman.

"He has coached people like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Lee and Graeme Dott, so he has plenty of experience at the top. I think he coaches 48 of the top 64 players in the world.

"He has tweaked my game slightly, and passed on tips that he has gathered through his many years at the top."

However, one thing Steadman has not forgotten is his roots in the local leagues. The talented cueman still turns out in the Bolton and Bury leagues - and is happy to carry on doing so.

"People have said I shouldn't still be playing in the local leagues and that I am too good for it," he said. "I disagree with them.

"It does me good to play one-frame snooker. I give big starts to my opponents and it means I can't take any chances or I lose. That's how it is when I play the top players - I need that experience."