Defending champion Wright withdraws from Players Championship Finals as his wife receives treatment following surgery

Peter Wright after his exit from the Grand Slam of Darts last night at the hands of Nathan Aspinall will not play again until the defence of his PDC World Darts Championship after withdrawing from the Players Championship Finals.

Taking place next week in Minehead between Friday November 25 - Sunday November 27, Wright is the defending champion after winning a year ago against Ryan Searle.

But due to his wife Jo being in hospital after a gallbladder operation which Wright himself underwent earlier this year, he has decided to withdraw.

Under PDC rules, Wright is replaced directly in the draw by the next-ranked player from the 2022 Players Championship Order of Merit, this has given a chance to Gian van Veen, a recent first time finalist on the tour.