Luke Littler and Gian van Veen practicing in separate rooms ahead of Premier League Darts Night 10 after Manchester fracas

Luke Littler and Gian van Veen are understood to be practicing in separate rooms prior to their Premier League Darts Night 10 duels in Brighton. They could feasibly meet again shortly though which could reignite the Manchester of it all.

Of course last week, Littler reacted and Van Veen looked round prompting Littler to raise his arms and look annoyed. Van Veen himself went on to win the match and showed his annoyance towards Littler to Viaplay, quotes that were laughed off by the World Champion on social media.

But Emma Paton on Sky Sports confirmed that they are practicing in separate rooms tonight albeit with the caveat that there are two separate rooms for practice anyway so while it might be due to them potentially meeting in the semi-finals anyway, it is ominous.

They wouldn't have met anyway since their Manchester duel with Littler deciding to skip the European Tour once again this past weekend, while Van Veen played but lost early to William O'Connor. Littler plays Stephen Bunting next in Brighton, while Van Veen is set for a Double Dutch duel with Gian van Veen.

Wayne Mardle said it was like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and he doubled down on that criticism of Littler.

“It’s as simple as that. He did not expect Gian van Veen to turn around. It’s unusual that a player turns around mid-throw. Watch it back, he doesn’t know he’s turned around at that point. That is highly unusual," said Mardle on Sky Sports.

"I don’t know if Luke got embarrassed or not, but he shouldn’t have reacted like he did. Gian van Veen did nothing wrong—he did nothing wrong. It was just a little over the top from Luke.”

But he does see that he will put it right in the event of that in Brighton and wins Night 10. “Let me tell you this, I think he puts it right and wins this evening. He’s not the type to dwell; he’s not the type to be bothered in a way and let it fester.

He knows he’s an absolute 19-year-old phenom, and I think he just wins again.”