"He hasn’t done it for a long time": Wright reminds Van Gerwen about title drought despite favourite tag at PDC World Darts Championship

Peter Wright has had a tumultuous few weeks off the oche with his wife Jo in and out of hospital after her gallbladder operation meaning he lost out early at the Grand Slam of Darts and skipped the Players Championship Finals.

But heading into the PDC World Darts Championship and with Jo on the mend, 'Snakebite' turns his attention to sealing a third World title and going back-to-back and will start with either Mickey Mansell or Ben Robb in a confident mood.

“I’ll do well,” he said as per Daily Star Sport. “I’m not worried about the draw, I’ve just got to play the person in front of me. I know what to do to win it, then I’ll be picking up Sid [the Sid Waddell Trophy] at the beginning of next year. ”

“That’s how I feel and whoever is going to beat me has got to play well. It’s not just me who’ll be saying that, it’s Michael [Van Gerwen], Gezzy [Price], Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, all those guys will be feeling confident. If you don’t believe in your own ability, you shouldn’t be playing.”

Michael van Gerwen has been heralded by many as the outstanding favourite after winning four majors this season but Wright was quick to remind those backing MVG that his last World title came back in 2019 as he aims to finally seal an elusive fourth crown.

“I’d be favourite if I’d won four tournaments as well,” said Wright, who was quick to point out that the last of Van Gerwen's three world titles came back in 2019.

“The bookies have got it right, he’s coming into the tournament playing some good darts. So he’s going to be dangerous but you’ve got to deliver it on the Ally Pally stage and he hasn’t done it on that stage for a long time.”