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We continue our feature profiling rising stars with a look at Liam Highfield, the English U19 champion and a player widely tipped for professional glory.

Full name: Liam Highfield

Nationality: English

Age: 18 (DOB: 1/12/1990)

World Ranking: N/A

Career highlights: Winner of the English U19 title in May; winner of the second PIOS event in July.

General: Highfield took up snooker at eight years of age and made his first century break at 11. His home club is Players in Newcastle and he counts his maiden competitive 147 achieved last year at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre in Leicester as the highlight of his fledgling career.

Strengths: The 18-year-old counts break building and long potting as his main strengths. In making his maximum last year he showed good powers of improvisation to double his 10th red into the middle pocket and subsequently open up a red tight on the cushion. In the final of Businessland U21 tournament he showed fighting spirit and composure to win the deciding frame on a black-ball finish.

Weaknesses: While Highfield is unquestionably a highly-talented potter, his safety play leaves room for improvement. The teenager admits himself that long periods of safety play can see him come unstuck and that he needs to work on that area of his game in order to realise his potential.

Prospects: Highfield says he has "a burning desire to be the best in the world", but is acutely aware of the intense competition at the business end of snooker. The evidence suggests the raw talent is there, but the 19-year-old needs to work on his powers of concentration and decision-making at the table if he is to rise through the ranks.

Trivia: Highfield counts Dame Kelly Holmes and Cristiano Ronaldo as his favourite sports personalities and his favourite singer is Elton John. In his spare time he likes to hit up the gym and go running. He's also a big fan of darts and spending time with his girlfriend Lucy.

Toby Keel / Eurosport