Nicholson looks at five new Tour Card holders to watch in 2023 including Cadby and Veenstra

Last month, several players at Q-School secured a Tour Card for the next two years. Former professional darts player turned commentator and pundit, Paul Nicholson, picks out five to watch.

Nicholson starts with Graham Usher. "It has been a while coming for The Gambler to finally grace the professional tour. However, when you think about his gradual progression over the last four years, it has come at exactly the right moment," said The Asset.

"He has conquered Q-School with a running average of 91.94, and that - over the course of a PDC season - will definitely do damage in places.If he can be consistent and find some friends to bounce off, he could be very exciting for the tour, as he is ultra fast and has blink and you miss it darts written all over him."

As well as Dylan Slevin who went on to reach a semi-final on debut. "He is truly exciting and nowhere near the finished product either.

"He has raw scoring ability and a very clever counting game.He reminds me of Keane Barry a little because he plays beyond his years, and has already been exposed to the right kind of competition to succeed.

Cadby

Despite missing the opening weekend and seemingly visa issues still an issue, Corey Cadby has also been picked. "There won’t be many people coming out of Q-School with a target on their back, in fact most of the players may be a mystery to the existing professionals who have graced the tour for some time.What we have in Corey is someone who cannot be ignored, and will not stand idly by as people try to sweep him aside."

"Players will not want him to bully them on the board and will not want to be intimidated, hence the fixtures that he is involved in will be highly watchable. The last time he came out of Qualifying School, he made a major final and won a title in the space of six weeks.Do not be shocked if he does something spectacular or unpredictable again. The column inches may indeed belong to him again by the end of February or March. Dot dot dot!"

But another name who could be a threat is 'Flyers' Richard Veenstra who finally steps up this year, "He is coming to the PDC at exactly the right time for him, and when he walks through the door, he will have an abundant amount of allies as he is one of the most likeable guys on any darts circuit.He is softly spoken but don't let that fool you. He is lethal if he is in the right mood, and will be a huge threat for Players Championship titles."

Finally it is the turn of Jacques Labre who made history as the first French Tour Card holder. "An 89+ average for 15 matches at Q-School is encouraging, but we all know what kind of standard you need to survive," he said.

"I may not immediately think he is a threat for massive runs in events, but the opportunity for French darts to kick on from this is written in BOLD.

"They must in my opinion get a World Cup team this year and the chance for these guys to get the European Tour into France cannot be ignored also."