Mark Allen booked a Players Championship semi-final date with either Ronnie O’Sullivan or John Higgins after downing Stuart Bingham on Thursday night.

Allen, 33, looked in serious trouble when slipping 3-0 behind to the 2015 world champion but then reeled off six of the next seven frames to reach the last four in Preston.

He concluded proceedings with a break of 75 and will now square off with a legend of the game as O’Sullivan and Higgins – with nine world titles between them – play their quarter-final on Friday.

The ‘Rocket’ is priced at 1.36, with Higgins on offer at 3.00 to get one over on his great rival.

Allen caused controversy at last month’s World Grand Prix when conceding a frame despite being just 22 points behind, but he seemed pleased with his effort in taking out Bingham.

“I’m very proud with the way I handled that match from 3-0 down,” said the Northern Irishman.

Allen has enjoyed an excellent season and sits sixth in the world rankings after winning both the International Championship and the Scottish Open.

He also reached the final of the UK Championship and the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions in Coventry.

Taking on either of the legends will be a daunting prospect for the Belfast man, with Neil Robertson and Judd Trump set to go at it in the other last-four match-up.

Winning the tournament will be at the forefront of the players’ minds but they are sure to have one eye on next month’s World Championship in Sheffield.

O’Sullivan is the 4.33 favourite to win a sixth Crucible title while Higgins can be backed at 21.00.