MIKE SWEAT OVER HYDRO
Gary on standby for double duel as van Gerwen faces fitness race
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is still hoping to make a big splash at The SSE Hydro despite busting his back in the shower.
But doubts over the world champion’s fitness has opened the door to the possibility of Scottish hero Gary Anderson playing twice in front of his beloved home crowd in Glasgow.
Van Gerwen is fighting to recover from the back issue that threatens to keep him out of Thursday’s Betway Premier League at the SSE Hydro.
The Dutch destroyer was forced to miss last week’s round of fixtures in Exeter and was also unable to defend his Coral UK Open title – where Peter Wright took the silverware.
The 27-year-old has been having treatment and says he is confident of declaring himself fit for the league night in Glasgow and turning out in front of the 10,000 crowd.
Van Gerwen said: “I was in the shower and having a coughing fit, it went through my back.
“I felt it was wrong. I’ve had more problems with my back but that was just because I had done too much.
“I’m a pretty busy guy and with an injury you should always be careful. Especially with your back, you have only one and you can’t buy another no matter how much money you have.
“How is it going forward? I’m confident. I feel good and just want to play.”
PDC chiefs have put no deadlines or cut-off points on van Gerwen’s recovery and will give him every opportunity to be ready for the gig. But Record Sport can reveal darts bosses are working behind the scenes on a precautionary just in case scenario for the Hydro.
Last week in Exeter, Dave Chisnall was asked to play twice in the absence of van Gerwen and take up his clash against James Wade.
Crocked MVG is due to face Kim Huybrechts in Glasgow so PDC bosses may have to find one of the three players who have yet to play the Belgium in the round-robin event and request their involvement.
Anderson, having not faced Huybrechts, is one of the potential stand-ins.
The two-time champion of the world is scheduled to play Chisnall in the final game of the night but is aware his workload might be doubled.
Anderson is unfazed at the prospect and said: “I don’t know what the situation is with Michael but if he’s not able to play it’s not a big deal for me to fill in on the night. “Everyone hopes Michael is feeling better but if he can’t make it, as long you have a wee bit of warning that you have two games instead of one it’s fine. “We’re used to it because it’s happened after Judgment Night in past years when you played twice in the one night and to be honest that’s nothing compared with playing six or seven games in the one day at a ProTour Event or playing quarters, semi and a final on the Sunday of TV tournaments. “Truth be told if I’m going to be asked to play twice anywhere I’d certainly pick Glasgow or Aberdeen because those are my home matches if you like “I love playing in Scotland. It used to make me nervous and I’d struggle to handle it but the more I’ve done it the easier it is. “When you get that brilliant support it’s a buzz. “You don’t want to let anyone down.”