"I want to get back in the Premier League" - Jonny Clayton smiling again after difficult period and intent on returning to top form

Jonny Clayton went down in the final of the Dutch Darts Championship last weekend. The 49-year-old Welshman lost 8-4 to Josh Rock.

Clayton is not known as a heavy practicer, but recently he realised something had to change after a poor spell of form. "There's nothing better than practice at home. I'm so lazy practicing, but my game needs it and it needs it big time," the Ferret says in conversation with Online Darts. "The mojo is back, I've got a smile on my face again and hopefully my darts get back to where they used to be. Fingers crossed for that."

After having been a regular in recent years and even taking the title back in 2021, Clayton missed out on selection for this year's Premier League Darts lineup. "I want those times back and I'm going to work hard to get those times back. I want to get back in the Premier League you know," the Welshman insists.

"I missed it terribly this year, so hard work and hopefully I'll get back into places where I think I should be," Clayton continues. "Obviously I was upset that I wasn't in the Premier League this year. But, there were better players than me in there. I want to prove to people that I should be in there and the only way I can do that is start performing."

Clayton will also be back in a month at the World Cup of Darts, where he will defend the title for Wales alongside compatriot Gerwyn Price. "I absolutely love that tournament because it's different. I think me and Gezzy are a good team too. Not only do we play for Wales, but we play for each other," says Clayton, who twice previously has managed to lift the World Cup of Darts trophy alongside Price.

"We're relaxed when we play together and we both trust in one another," Clayton concludes. "I can't wait. Gezzy is going to be my team captain again and hopefully we'll make Wales proud and it'll be third time lucky."