Whirlwind Jimmy White breezed into Brighton yesterday, insisting: "I'm here to win a trophy".

The 38-year-old people's champion has received a wild card entry to the Champions Cup, which starts at the Brighton Centre on Sunday.

But White will have to overcome 24-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan, the best player he has ever seen, if he is to triumph.

World No 4 O'Sullivan is the first hurdle in White's round-robin group on Monday, which also includes John Higgins and Matthew Stevens.

White, who has dropped to 18th in the rankings said: "I'm delighted the tournament has come to a buzzing place like Brighton but I'm not here on holiday. I want to win.

"The Brighton Centre is an excellent venue. I've been down here with Steve Davis many times and always received good support from the Brighton people.

"Playing Ronnie couldn't have been a harder start. The kid is a class act.

"He's the greatest talent I've ever seen, even better than John Higgins. To be the best you have to beat the best."

White was at the Churchill Square shopping centre playing exhibition frames to help the World Snooker Association promote the competition.

The Champions Cup also include World No 1 Mark Williams, Stephen Hendry, Stephen Lee and Ken Doherty.

Only White enters the traditional snooker season curtain raiser outside the world's top eight.

But that is a matter White, a six-times World Embassy championship runner-up, wants to rectify.

He said: "I'm pro-visionally 12th in the rankings, so I only need a half decent season to get back into the elite 16 but I intend doing a lot better than that.

"The Champions Cup provides the best possible yardstick to see how you fair with the top players. I believe I can come out on top."

Hendry and Lee get the ball rolling in a Group A match at 1pm on Sunday.

Tickets are £6 (£3 concessions) from Sunday until Thursday, £8 (£4) next Friday and Saturday, and £11 (£8) for the final on Sunday, September 3.

Champions Cup Programme.

Sunday (1pm): S. Hendry v S. Lee (A), M. Williams v K. Doherty (A), J. Higgins v R. O'Sullivan (B).

Monday (11.30am): R. O'Sullivan v J. White (B), M. Williams v S. Lee (A), J. Higgins v M. Stevens (B).

Tuesday (11.30am):. M. Stevens v J. White (B), S. Hendry v K. Doherty (A).

Wednesday (11.30am): R. O'Sullivan v M. Stevens (B), S. Lee v K. Doherty (A).

Thursday (11.30am): M. Williams v S. Hendry (A), J. Higgins v J. White (B).

Friday (11.30am): semi-final 1 (winner A v runner-up B).

Saturday (12 noon): semi-final 2 (winner B v runner-up A).

Sunday (11.30am): Final:

Matches scheduled from Sunday until Thursday will be played on a roll-on roll-off basis. There will be a short break following the end of each match before the next match begins.