STUART BINGHAM is confident he will return stronger than ever despite falling at the first hurdle in the World Snooker Championship.

The Bowers Gifford player was usurped by talented qualifier Jack Lisowski at the Crucible on Tuesday, with the 26-year-old playing some excellent snooker en route to a 10-7 win in the first round.

Bingham was crowned Crucible champion in 2015 but he was handed a three-month ban for betting infringements earlier this season.

It means the 41-year-old will not be celebrating any silverware this season but he remains confident that, following a summer break - he will be back and ready to challenge in 2018/19.

“I might watch a little bit here and there but now it is all about spending some time with the family. It has been not the best of seasons,” said Bingham.

“On the table it’s been OK. I have not got my hands on any silverware but I am knocking on the door.

“Give me a full season and I fancy winning. I need to work on a few things but give me some time and I will be there.”

From the off, Lisowksi looked determined to make amends for his below-par performance the last time he was the Crucible five years ago – and that spelled danger for Bingham.

The unseeded world number 30 started like a train with breaks of 105 and 128 seeing him win two of the first three frames.

Bingham did well to stay in contention and had a great chance to score a maximum 147 but ran out of position – however, he still trailed 5-4 heading into the evening.

But try as he might he could not get on level terms, with the first four frames of the evening session shared before Lisowski pulled clear to win.

“He is riding a confident wave and it showed out there. Every time he seemed to hit a big shot when I had him in trouble,” said Bingham.

“At 7-6, I had him all sorts of trouble but he hit a one in 50 shot and it went in. I was looking right down the line and I sunk in my chair. I could not get back at him, I could not get level. Hats off to him, he is confident and easy on the eye.

“He cues the ball so well and so good luck to him. He is riding a wave. He will probably have John [Higgins] next and John does not give anyone chances.

“If he goes for his shots then he will be hard to stop.

“The first session was great, full of half tons and the odd hundred. I had a chance of the maximum. Every year I try and get one here but it was not to be.

“It was a free-flowing game but I have come out second best.”