George Ryall faces a make-or-break week in Portugal if he is to fulfil his ambition to become a fully-fledged member of the European Seniors' Tour.

His modest success in the six events he has played this season – earning £11,500 from six starts to finish 63rd in the money list – was good enough to by-pass the first stage of qualifying.

So the Players Club touring player, 51, leaves on Friday for the Pestana Golf Resort on the Algarve for the 72-hole final qualifying, which takes place from Monday to Thursday over the Vale da Pinta course.

Ryall, as one of 18 exempt players, will be joined by 54 others from the first qualifying but there are just six cards available for full playing privileges next season. Another 12 cards giving limited access to tournaments will also be handed out.

He said: "With only six spots available, it's going to be very difficult. But I have been playing okay and I feel good about my game. I shall try not to think about the numbers and just see what happens.

"Although the course doesn't really suit my game I shall be much better prepared than I was last year. I know the course and, hopefully, I won't suffer from the illness that set me back last year.

"I had a horrendous flu bug but still managed to finish 16th. Had I been healthy I am sure I would have done much better.

"If I play to the best of my ability, I've got a chance. I have no worries about my ability to stay on Tour if I get through. You can pace yourself in the knowledge that you can play in every event and play a full season.

"The difficulty is getting there. I have got to know a lot of the guys on Tour and they are really welcoming. I desperately want to be there."

He is taking Mike Young, a neighbour in Portishead, as his caddy. Physio Young will also be able to provide on-the-spot treatment should Ryall's recurring back problems flare up.

Ryall won the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall this summer and came 10th in Austria.

He said: "My statistics have been good in the tournaments I've played. I was 17th in stroke average, 18th in hitting greens in regulation and 17th in driving accuracy.

"Now I want to get it done. It's a life-changing week for me. It's what I've practiced for and I have built up my hopes for the past five years, so I'll certainly be ready. This would further my career. I am ready and am as confident as I can be."

There will be plenty to play for with two new tournaments already announced for the 2010 European Senior Tour.

For the graduates, the new season will begin with a pre-Christmas trip to Mauritius for the inaugural Mauritius Commercial Bank Open from December 11-13. That will be followed by the Senior Tour's first trip to South Africa for the Berenberg Bank Masters at Fancourt on March 26-28.

Success in the early part of the campaign could also secure a spot in the 2010 Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie next July.

Gordon Brand Junior slipped down the field to finish tied 26th after a final round 75 in the European Seniors' Tour Championship at Castellon in Spain, which left him 13 shots behind winner Mike Harwood.

He earned £3,500 and ended his first full season on the Seniors Tour in 16th spot on the money list. He earned around £83,000 from 12 tournaments.