Entries Players Championship 22-23: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen absent from next double header

The Entries have been confirmed for the return of the Players Championship series with the double header set to take place in Germany between July 29-30.

The two tournaments which see a field of 128 players comprised of both Tour Card holders and PDPA Member Associates from the Challenge Tour will take place at the conclusion of the World Matchplay.

But in reality, the big story is that many of the top names despite barely playing on the ProTour this year as it is have decided not to play next week either. Luke Littler had not played ranking action since April until this week at the World Matchplay.

Now he won't return until at least August when the Flanders Darts Trophy takes place in Antwerp where he is entered. He has decided to skip these next two events. While Luke Humphries also won't be playing over the next week in Hildesheim.

Albeit there is perhaps a reason for this as many of those not entered including Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock as well as Damon Heta who are all stalwarts of these events is due to the World Series in Australia and New Zealand in the coming days after which the leading players are entered into.

Michael van Gerwen snubbed an invite due to a family holiday as did Nathan Aspinall but the latter is surprisingly given that he hasn't played much this year on the floor is entered. As are Gerwyn Price who openly admitted his participation depended on his Blackpool run, he is still entered so could be one who withdraws late if he wins this weekend.

Mike de Decker too who will make his main World Series debut is also entered. As are the likes of Gary Anderson, James Wade, Martin Schindler, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting. Bunting too will play in the next World Series double header. Others to miss out are Oskar Lukasiak, Jules van Dongen, Tim Wolters as well as Michael Smith and Peter Wright, the latter two perhaps strange given their recent form but they are replaced by the Challenge Tour players. These being Darius Labanauskas, Stefan Bellmont, Ted Evetts, Mervyn King, Jack Tweddell, Carl Sneyd, Danny van Trijp, Graham Hall, Jamai van den Herik, Scott Campbell, Kevin Burness and Alexander Merkx.