Lloyd looks ahead to World Matchplay: 'I think there is going to be absolute fireworks this year'

Colin Lloyd is a former winner of the World Matchplay so know what it takes to win on the Winter Gardens stage and ahead of proceedings beginning, 'Jaws' has hailed the line-up.

Lloyd said that this year he is expecting fireworks and that for him he really believes the line-up this year will be one of the best in the history of the tournament.

He spoke also about recent additions Jamie Hughes and Glen Durrant and admitted that players from the top 16 seeds will not want to draw them two in particular.

"It's a tough event to win, it's the top 16 in the world and the top 16 players from the year," Lloyd, the 2005 champion tells Sky Sports.

"You do not get much better than that, you're getting the cream, the crème de la crème as they say.

"It's the top boys and it's the atmosphere and ambience of the venue, everything it's just a great atmosphere in there - Blackpool just is what darts is. It's business darts."

"Last year was fantastic but I think there is going to be absolute fireworks this year," added Lloyd.

"Some of the games last year were sublime and I think this year it's really going to be one of the best Blackpool's there has ever been."

"With Jamie Hughes he knew going into the Czech Open that he had to win it to qualify and he stormed it, he was absolutely brilliant, he played lovely.

"Throw Glen Durrant in the mix and the draw is going to be really tasty, for people watching it they'll see a nice couple of grins on my face. There are going to be a few people, the seeded players, they're going to be looking at the draw thinking I don't want him!"

Click here to view the field for the World Matchplay.