McGowan is due to meet Taylor in the second round of the Ladbrokes. com World Championship in Pur"ee on St Stephen's Day. But the fog that has caused travel chaos in the lead-up to the festive period will need to have lifted so McGowan can return to England for the game.

"I'm spending Christmas in Ireland, " said the 33-year-old quali"er. "I've had a couple of days back at work and I "y over to England again on Tuesday morning.

I'm booked on the "rst "ight out of Dublin and I can't wait.

"I've done okay on the circuit but the World Championship is completely different to anything else you can play in, " said McGowan. "It's just the pressure of it - this is what everyone plays for all year.