DAVE Harold makes a welcome return to competitive action tomorrow as he bids to qualify for next month's new Bahrain Championship.

The Trent Vale potter meets either Rory McLeod or Mark Joyce in the final round of qualifying at the Pontin's Holiday Park in Prestatyn.

And the world number 28 knows victory in North Wales would hand him the chance to try to shine at the fourth ranking event of the season.

Harold may never repeat the form which helped him land the 1993 Asian Open title, his only ranking tournament win, but the 41-year-old rolled back the years to reach the Northern Ireland Trophy final earlier this season.

"I'm still full of confidence from the way I played in Belfast, it proved to me that all the hard work I keep putting in is worthwhile," revealed Harold.

"I've played well this season and, if I get my chance again, I still honestly believe I can win another title.

"I've said the day I stop enjoying snooker is the day to stop playing, but I'm back in the top 32 and competing again, which is a great feeling."

And Harold doesn't mind whether he faces McLeod, the world number 44 from Wellingborough, or Walsall professional Joyce, the current world number 59.

"I don't really mind who I play these days, it's all about what I do on my day," added the Stoke City fan.

"I know I can beat anyone if I produce my best form. Of course you really looking forward to playing players such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, that's one of the big challenges these days.

"But the standard has improved a lot, so you've got to be match sharp these days, especially at the qualifiers in Prestatyn, all the players are fighting for their lives down there."

Longton potter Jamie Cope has been handed a bye into the Bahrain tournament, which runs from November 8-15, because four players have been forced to withdraw.

Top stars Steve Davis, John Higgins, Mark Selby and Ding Junhui are all contracted to play in the PartyPoker.com Premier League, an event which clashes with the new ranking tournament.

Therefore Cope, the world number 19, Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens – 18 and 17 in the standings respectively – have all been given free passages to the tournament.

One more player is also set to benefit when Davis makes good on his promise to withdraw.