Smith on Winmau Blade 6 after partnership announced: "I'm a Unicorn player but it looks the dogs balls"

Michael Smith was fairly vocal about missing last year's Premier League Darts thinking he should have got in ahead of those involved.

But this time, he will get another crack at the elite darting roadshow and he cannot wait to play in the new format.

"I was over the moon especially after missing out last year. It wasn't by choice, it was by selection. Head down focused and I'm back and it feels good to be back," said Smith to Online Darts.

"You want to be playing tournaments every night because it puts you in good stead for your ProTours and especially the three in a day when you're going to the Europeans on a Sunday night."

But with relegation not really possible, it is an aspect Smith will miss but believes the format lends itself to the quality of the field.

"I'm going to miss the relegation, I've only ever been relegated once but it's the pressure on it, the Judgement Night etc. That's going to be a big miss but now the tournament is going to oversight the relegation. This is one of the strongest fields and there's only eight of us. I don't think there will be many 6-0, 6-1's. I am really looking forward to this."

Another new change is the Winmau Blade 6 and despite being with Unicorn, Smith is a fan of the new board and partnership.

"I'm a Unicorn player and I'll stick with Unicorn as long as I'm with them but it's a new era for the PDC now and Winmau. It looks the dogs balls to be honest so I'm really looking forward to getting on it now."