Dennis is determined to get back on the big Lakeside stage

Darts - European Classic and European Open

Dennis Harbour is on course for a return to BDO Lakeside world championships. TheDogsthorpedarterisupto number 19 in the BDO world rankings after good results in Blackpool last weekendat the European Darts Classic and European Darts Open.

The top 24 in the rankings qualify for the world championshipsandHarbouriseyeing a place in the top 16.

That would make him a seed for the event that gets underway in Frimley Green next January

Harbour reached the last eight earlier this year in front of the BBC cameras - upsetting Darryl Fitton and Martin Phillips before bowing out to Jeff Smith - and the 54 yearold looks back to his best after undergoing treatment on a shoulder injury.

He admits he pl ayed throughthepainbarrierwhen helpingEnglandretaintheSix Nations Cup in Sligo in June.

“I had a stiff neck throughout the tournament,” said Harbour. “But I still managed to win 50 per cent of my matches.

“I ended up with pain going down my neck, along my shoulder and down my arm.

“Mymusclesallknottedup. It was very painful.

“I went to see an osteopath a friend recommended and it was money well spent.

“I was pretty consistent this weekend in Blackpool and my confidence is coming back.”

Harbour reached the last 32 and last 64 of the events over the weekend and with four major ranking events to go before qualification for the World Championship is decided, he believes the top 16 is within reach.

The next ranking event is the British Classic in Selsey next month and Harbour, sponsored by John Beddows of Ebeneezers in Woodston, said: “I’ve done the circuit, maintained my ranking and now I want to push on and crack the top 16 if I can.

“If I can do well in the next couple of majors, I canget into the top 16. I picked up 15 ranking points in Blackpool last weekend and I have to keep throwing consistently and keep picking them up.

“It’s a big advantage to be a seed at the Lakeside. You are definitely more feared.”

Dennis Harbour in action on the Lakeside stage earlier this year.