Peter Wright and Florian Hempel absent from start of Players Championship double header in Leicester

Florian Hempel and Peter Wright had to withdraw at the last minute for Players Championship 20 and 21 in Leicester. The German informed via an Instagram Story that his foot injury has not yet healed sufficiently to be in action.

"Unfortunately, I have to forgo Players Championship 20 and 21," Hempel said. "My foot did not recover as quickly as I had hoped. Now the key is to make a full recovery as soon as possible and focus on the next few months."

Although Hempel is missing, the German delegation remains firmly represented in Leicester. With Martin Schindler, Ricardo Pietreczko, Gabriel Clemens, Max Hopp and Niko Springer, there are still several German darters at the start.

Hempel is not the only player who has opted out. Peter Wright is also missing from the field of participants. It is not known why 'Snakebite' has opted out of the floor tournament.