"We've got to compete with Joe and Megan, his sister": Nathan Aspinall jokes about facing family support in taking on good friend Joe Cullen

Nathan Aspinall is keeping his focus firmly on the World Matchplay, but is refusing to get carried away by the prospect of blockbuster clashes later in the tournament.

The former Blackpool champion knows he faces a tough opening-round test against Joe Cullen, while a potential second-round showdown with defending champion Luke Littler will only become a reality if both players win their opening matches.

Speaking to Oche180, Aspinall stressed that all of his attention is on his first-round encounter. He admitted yesterday that he is unsure if he will play further ProTours due to family issues, but that he will practice this week with Luke Humphries to try and be ready.

"Yeah, gutted to face Joe to be fair, obviously everyone knows me and Joe are really good mates, he's not really mentioned it much, but yeah, I've just got to compete with Joe and Megan, his sister.

"Come on Joseph, come on Joseph!" he joked doing an impression of Cullen's sister.

According to Aspinall, their friendship extends well beyond darts. Cullen was at his stag do alongside the likes of Chris Dobey and Ross Smith and is known to be close with Aspinall so it is kind of a hellish tie for both.

"But no, listen, I've got my family there, he's going to have his family there, win or lose, it's going to be a great game of darts, playing in great spirit, you know, I'm confident I'm going to come through that game and then yeah, we'll see what happens from there."

Despite the difficult draw, Aspinall is confident heading into the major at the Winter Gardens. With Luke Littler occupying the same half of the draw, a meeting between the pair could follow in the second round. However, Aspinall is refusing to think that far ahead.

"If he gets through and I get through, you know what I mean? You know, first and foremost, I've got to concentrate on this weekend, you know, I need some ranking money, desperately, I'm aware of that, so if I can go win this weekend, it's going to be tough tomorrow, I'll probably have a steaming hangover, but if I can win tomorrow, it'll be great, and then yeah, we'll look forward to the match play then, but first and foremost, we've got a tournament to win this weekend."

Speaking in Leverkusen, he went on to reach the Quarter-Finals despite the heat and so got that ranking money he craved heading into a showdown with Cullen in Blackpool.