"I would rather make my debut in a different way" - Mike De Decker wants to earn World Cup of Darts spot not be gifted due to Huybrechts injury

The World Cup of Darts is scheduled for the end of this month in Frankfurt. Who will play for Belgium alongside Dimitri Van den Bergh remains unclear for now.

The two highest-placed Tour Card holders from each country are automatically guaranteed participation in the World Cup of Darts. For Belgium, that currently includes Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts. However, it is still uncertain whether Huybrechts will get fit in time after he suffered a double collarbone fracture in a brawl after the Antwerp-Union Belgian Cup final last month.

If Huybrechts does not get fit in time, Mike De Decker will be called up as a replacement. "I'm not going to lie, secretly I hope for that of course," De Decker said to the podcast 'Double Top'. On the other hand, I have always said I wanted to earn my selection for the World Cup of Darts on my own merits and that remains true. Should I still be allowed to enter because of Kim's cancellation, it's actually not the way I was hoping. Not a hair on my head that thinks about refusing a selection, but I would rather make my debut in a different way."

"I completely understand Mike," responded fellow darter Jerry Hendriks. "After all, you want to place on your own merits. On the other hand, you also particularly want to defend your country."

Hendriks has his doubts whether Huybrechts will get fit in time. "I honestly see it gloomy for him. I estimate the chances of him being top fit by the start of the World Cup of Darts are slim, although obviously I'm not an expert, that's something Kim has to assess with his doctor. But if you are not top fit, should you want to play at the World Cup of Darts? I think that's a difficult decision. In any case, we will know in the near future what it will be."