I won’t be in Littler’s Cross fire

ROB CROSS hopes to stop Luke Littler’s bid for a hat-trick of Premier League wins in Birmingham tonight but admitted: “He’s the biggest show in town now.”

Top-of-the-table Luke the Nuke will virtually book his place in next month’s play-offs if he completes a treble of wins in the travelling circus.

Cross (above) will be the first on the 17-year-old’s coconut shy at the Utilita Arena, and he said: “You look forward to playing the young man now.

“He’s probably the highest profile in the game at the minute.

“Luke Humphries has ruled the roost, but maybe he hasn’t got the recognition he deserves.

“When it comes down to Luke Littler, he’s human. He puts great numbers in every single week, he’s always 100-plus.

“But we can all play at 115 averages. I don’t worry about him, I just try and get the best out of myself. If I do that I can beat him.

“If I’m clinical with my doubles, I think I’ve got a massive chance. I’m going to enjoy playing him – it’s a massive challenge and to stop him getting a third nightly win in a row wouldn’t do me any harm.

“The Premier League? It’s tough and it’s a bit brutal at times. I suppose the last couple of weeks I’ve let myself down. I haven’t really played well by my own standards.

“But we’ve still got six weeks to go, and one good week can change everything. You just need to fight for everything now.

“Over 16 weeks, everyone is going to have poor games and great games. I need to string together some good ones.”

Since Littler’s (inset) fairytale run to the PDC World Championship final he has banked a minimum £350,000 prize money in four months.

He would virtually double his pot by lifting the Premier League trophy – which is worth a bumper £275,000.