Aspinall eyes top ten return and Premier League comeback

NATHAN ASPINALL insists he is “a top ten player all day” as he targets a return to the Premier League.

The two-time major winner has enjoyed a strong campaign on the ProTour, winning the German Darts Grand Prix and reaching the final of Players Championship One.

Aspinall, 35, is now focused on climbing back up the rankings and securing a place at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead.

The Asp is currently around £4,750 outside the top 64 cut-off and needs a strong run in Den Bosch this week to boost his hopes of making the tournament.

But his recent major runs have ended in back-to-back second-round defeats after being drawn against Luke Littler at both the World Series Finals and World Matchplay.

Aspinall pushed The Nuke all the way in both encounters, losing 10-9 in Amsterdam before suffering a narrow 11-7 defeat at the World Matchplay.

The Stockport thrower is currently 16th in the world and knows he needs to push on if he is to get back among the game’s biggest prizes.

He said: “I'm going to try and play as much as I can, obviously. You know, changing my mindset.

“I want to qualify for Minehead. I've got a bit to do. I'm in Den Bosch this week.

“I've got to play because, you know, as Vincent [Van der Voort] pointed out that I'm 16th.

“I'm playing Littler in the second round at the moment. Probably not ideal. You know what I mean? So I need to get up them rankings.

“I'm better than 16th in the world, you know, even with my bit of flaw in my throw. I'm a top ten player all day and I need to start proving that.

“I'm playing well. My averages, even when I don't think I'm playing well, are right up there. So let's go and do this.

“Win some tournaments. Push myself back in the top ten, top eight. Back in the Premier League. Back in the World Series. Life's good.”

Aspinall has withdrawn from 18 Players Championship events this season, but is now determined to make the most of the tournaments he does play.

He is looking to make a big run on TV after failing to reach the quarter-finals at any tournament this season.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning