STUART Bingham says he is already seeing improvements in his game after linking up with former World Champion Terry Griffiths.

The 41-year-old linked up with the Welshman following his defeat at the Crucible at the end of last season.

But, on the eve of the new campaign, Bingham says he is learning a great deal from the man that has tutored the likes of Ding Junhui and Stephen Hendry and also lifted the World Championship trophy in 1979.

“I am working with Terry and he is putting me through my paces,” said the 2015 World Championship winner.

“I have always had a coach but I have been doing it on my own recently “I am learning every day. You can get into some bad habits sometimes and it will give me a new lease of life and hopefully help me win some more tournaments.

“I had a good season last year but it was when I won the Welsh Open that he approached me. Terry asked me if we could team up and it was an honour for me.

“There are only one or two I would have worked with and he was of them.

“I am always intrigued what other coaches can bring and the early signs are very positive. He found some technical errors in my game and he has been there and got the t-shirt so he knows what I need.”

Bingham takes on China’s Li Hang this afternoon in a Riga Masters qualifier in Preston, bidding to make it through to the first ranking event of the season in Latvia at the end of next month.

The Basildon potter will then do battle with Billy Joe Castle on Saturday in a China Championship qualifier.

And while he says he feels as though he hasn’t had much of a break, he is looking forward to returning to competitive action.

“It feels like I haven’t had much of a break,” he said. “But I am looking forward to it.

“I love what I do. I have been playing in this little period and played other professionals like Allan Taylor and Sean O’Sullivan.

“I have played Li Hang a few times and he is one of the better Chinese players. He can score well when he is on song and it is a best of seven match so I will need to start well.

“I don’t know much about Billy Joe Castle but he is on the tour so it will be tough.”

He added he would be looking to achieve what he does every year this season – winning a competition.

“The game is getting harder,” he said.

“The qualifiers are not a given anymore. I always want to win a tournament. Whatever one the aim is to get over the finishing line.”