The Flying Scotsman was the runner-up in Milton Keynes this time last year, losing 11-7 to Michael van Gerwen in the final. This year's quest to go one better starts on Saturday evening against Benito van de Pas. Now the world number four thanks to Rob Cross' World Championship win, and his own
quarter-final defeat to Phil Taylor, Anderson will be trying to move back up the rankings.
For now, recovering from a chronic back complaint is the more pressing issue. On that front, the Scot has good news for his fans.
"It's a lot better," said the two-time world champion. "I've been going for the last four weeks but he reckons it will be another couple of months before I'm 100 percent."
Tournament success is not Anderson's primary concern at the stadium:mk. More important for him is making a promising start to the 2018 campaign.
"This weekend will be a tester to see how things are going. It's a new year and I'm looking forward to playing again," he said.
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