Major players to miss European Championship

At least four world of the world's top players will not be part of the European Championship in Belgium at the end of October. Raymond van Barneveld, Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis are not in Hasselt.
Anderson and Taylor did not show their face on the European circuit this year and while Gary seems to be committing less to the smaller tournaments with that also apparent in the Pro Tours where despite him winning this year he has odd weekends off, while Van Barneveld and Lewis have too much to make up if they do want to qualify for the major tournament
'Jackpot' has not been part of the last four Euro Tours in part to injury and personal problems and has only been seen at the World Matchplay as of late.
Names like Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Dave Chisnall, Michael Smith, Mensur Suljovic, Daryl Gurney and Jelle Klaasen will of course be there and with 4 of the sports top names not being there if Van Gerwen in particular falters we could see a first time major winner.
James Wade is one of only a few players in the top echelons of the PDC that can still make it, but "The Machine" has to win some serious prize money on the European Tour next month to secure his place. Wade is currently ranked 29th in the Euro Tour Order of Merit, the top 32 will take part in the European Championship.