Nathan Aspinall believes that Michael van Gerwen can finally be displaced from his World Number One spot over the next year.

Aspinall speaking recently admitted that he wants to follow current World Champion Peter Wright into the higher echelons of the rankings. 'The Asp' said that he believes like many that 'Snakebite' could be the player to do it.

But he is of the belief that he can take that top spot within the next 'five years' and he also discussed how he has been holding up during lockdown.

“That is my target. Obviously Van Gerwen has been there for as long as my kids have been alive! He's been there a long time and it's time for someone to knock him off," said Aspinall on the Target Darts podcast.

"I think it could be Peter (Wright) if he has a good year and another good World Championships. I do think that Peter could take that No.1 spot in the next 12 to 18 months. It’s not going to be in the next year or two, I doubt it, but I do believe that I can be the World No.1 and a World Champion."

“But it’s believing in it and I’ve got to do it. At the moment I am doing it and proving that these wins that I’ve had, these good runs, aren’t just lucky tournaments. I’m doing well and I do believe in the next five years certainly I can get to that No.1 spot which would be a dream come true.”

“To be fair I was itching to get back after two weeks. It’s been nice to spend some time at home doing things around the house that I wouldn’t have done if lockdown hadn’t happened. I’ve done all my garden up and spent some good time with the kids.

Hopes for Winter Gardens homecoming

He also spoke about the World Matchplay being on it's usual dates but he is hoping that it takes place at the Winter Gardens instead of behind closed doors potentially in Milton Keynes.

“Obviously the Matchplay being the second biggest tournament of the year I think that’s a great way to kick it all back off. Personally I hope it goes ahead in Blackpool because the reception I got last year was phenomenal, even though I got beat the first game. It’s my home tournament, I’m only 45 minutes away from Blackpool.

“Fingers crossed we can have some kind of audience there, even if it’s only 500 people, that’s better than nothing.”