Henderson on current form ahead of World Cup of Darts defence with Wright: "The two of us were not exactly firing on all cylinders last year"

John Henderson will defend the World Cup of Darts alongside Peter Wright for Scotland between Thursday 16-Sunday 19 June in Frankfurt.

Gary Anderson decided to step aside to allow 'The Highlander' to defend the title and he was grateful to the former winner for allowing him to do so.

"Fair play to them, it is good of Gary to do that," said Henderson to the Grampian Online.

"He felt it was right and I think if I was in the same position, I would maybe step aside. The good thing is that Gary has already won it so it maybe made his decision a bit easier but I still take my hat off to him for giving me the opportunity to go and play it."

But others have pointed to the fact that players such as Alan Soutar and William Borland are ahead of Henderson in the PDC Order of Merit even. Henderson believes the future of Scottish darts is bright though with this crop.

"(Alan) Soutar has got off to a good start in his PDC career and young Willie (Borland) maybe hasn’t been on top form since he hit his nine-darter at the worlds, he had faltered away a wee bit.

"Willie sits with me at the pro tours and I keep telling him the same as I’m getting told, just persevere and it will come. Nobody can hit a nine-darter at the world championships that can’t throw darts, he’s just going through a bad spell.

"Young Jamie Clark’s got a tour card but even at the local tournaments there’s some folk going to go to the Q schools, so it's good to see a good representation of Scottish players."

In terms of form going into the tournament, Henderson doesn't pay attention to this due to last year's triumph.

"Results haven’t been going my way just now but I’m playing well," he said.

"My average for the season is 93, that’s how good I’m playing but I’m just not getting the luck."

"Up until a couple of weeks ago Peter was off form as well. But he is in a bit of form now so it’s looking good.

"The two of us were not exactly firing on all cylinders going into the World Cup last year and look what happened.

"When it comes to the World Cup I think form goes out of the window.

"You are representing a team rather than an individual and Peter and I get on well together and play well together, so it’s all shaping up for another good tournament."