UPDATE Gerwyn Price clarifies rumours over World Cup of Darts withdrawal: "I have NOT withdrawn because of health reasons"

Gerwyn Price was the big name absentee from the line-up at the World Cup of Darts which is due to take place from June 11-14 as Nick Kenny gets a big opportunity to partner Jonny Clayton who will be team captain.

Price made himself unavailable for selection, and perhaps it is no surprise given that he confirmed earlier in the week that he was going through health issues and that he was waiting on hospital results.

“No good playing once a week and hopefully I get the results I want in 3 weeks time,” alongside a hospital emoji he wrote on Instagram after his loss in the Premier League.

This means that Kenny, who is ranked 60th, is next in line. Robert Owen would've been next up, but he is ranked 64th. This is unlike previous years, where Jim Williams was a strong understudy, albeit they lost in the second round, losing to Croatia. That year Price also had to pull out, and Clayton has struggled when it hasn't been his regular partner, whom he sees as the lynchpin of the pairing, despite Clayton including this year being ranked higher.

Price has spoken previously this year about playing in the World Cup of Darts but if he is waiting to find out results and as a result doesn't want to risk it, he has decided to sit this year out albeit Kenny now gets the ultimate chance with Clayton that he was unlikely to get before.

As it turns out, Gerwyn Price’s health might not be the reason behind his absence after all. Taking to his Instagram Stories to push back against this narrative, Price posted: "Just to clarify, I have NOT withdrawn from the World Cup because of health reasons."

Whether or not the real reason behind Price withdrawing from international duty is revealed in coming weeks remains to be seen. For now though, the Welsh will have to plow forward and prepare with Jonny Clayton and Nick Kenny as their pairing.