CROSS MUSCLES IN ON LUKES

By Phil Lanning

ROB CROSS admits he is hitting the gym and breaking sweat to put the heat on the lethal Lukes.

The World No.5 faces Michael van Gerwen in a crucial Premier League clash in Birmingham on Thursday night.

Cross, 34, needs a big win at the Utilita Arena to overhaul MVG and Nathan Aspinall to get into the top four play-off places.

But he has revealed that pumping iron has got him ready for the big fight with the big stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

He said: “I feel stronger in mind and body right now. I think nowadays you have to do something extra to find the levels of the Lukes.

“I don’t think any of us are far away. It’s literally about one to two per cent difference.

“I took some time out through illness. I’ve spent some time with the family and gone to the gym. I feel so good because of that.

“Maybe it might give me that bit of extra stamina when I really need it.”

Cross has hit a nine-darter and been consistent so far but is yet to win a Premier League night.

He’s got an excellent record against Van Gerwen with six wins in the last seven clashes. But he knows that counts for nothing in Birmingham.

Cross added: “It’s probably crunch time. We need to start getting big points on the board. I think maybe 10 points is what I need to make the top four.

“Look the aim is just to play well every week. If I turn up then I know I can get the results. If you don’t turn up, you get beat, simple as that.

“I think at this stage of the season it just puts more urgency into it. I perform better, probably under more pressure.

“I’ve had a few unlucky weeks. But we all have had that to be fair.

“Overall I’m happy with my game. I was a bit flat against Gezzy in the semi-final last week and I was disappointed with myself.

“But there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The 16 weeks of the Premier League is a long time. You have to pace yourself, it’s the tournament where you really need stamina and focus.

“Now I have to leave everything on the stage. Everything I have got, I’ve got to give it over the last four weeks.

“I took some time off with the illness, that also hopefully meant I could be fresher for the run-in.

“It’s just been a bit weird for me not winning that second game. I don’t even think it’s psychological, it’s just not happened for me.

“The intention is always to make the top four. That’s the only goal from the outset.

“I’ll be bitter if I don’t make it. I want to be there and be part of it to try and win the big trophy.

“Sometimes for me it’s just making sure I have that motivation. Feeling fresher is important. That means I have all the energy to pour into my darts.

“I’m hitting a lot of 100 averages but sometimes that’s not even good enough. We all get found out.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.