Gerwyn Price ruled himself out of Thursday night's Premier League Darts in Aberdeen due to an ongoing back problem.
Unable to compete in the Austrian Darts Open over the weekend because of a trapped nerve case, the 39 year-old had hoped to be fit enough to play in Scotland.
However, the PDC announced on Thursday lunchtime that Price will be absent. Their statement read: "Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from Thursday's BetMGM Premier League night in Aberdeen as he continues to struggle with a back problem.
"2021 World Champion Price was unable to compete in last weekend's Austrian Darts Open after suffering a trapped nerve in his back. The Welshman has undergone treatment since last Friday but has not recovered sufficiently to travel to Scotland to take part in Night 14 at PandJ Live."
And due to the competition's rules, Price, who already sits second bottom in the table, with just 12 points from 13 nights so far, has been ruthlessly punished.
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While the opponent he was due to face, Luke Humphries, gets a free pass into the semi-finals - automatically earning him two points and a +1 leg difference - the Welshman has been battered, his no-show ensuring he'll get no points for the night and also suffering a -6 leg difference. This season's Premier League hasn't seen any player take a six-leg hit like the one Price has had to swallow.
A good start to the day for Luke Humphries (PA)Price, the Welshman, suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Luke Littler in his first Premier League match in Liverpool last week, leaving him languishing near the bottom of the table as the 17-week competition nears its end.
With only three nights left after Aberdeen, former world champion Price will have to make up a minimum of seven points to secure a spot in the play-offs and compete for the top prize of £200,000.
Littler is currently leading the Premier League with 31 points, 18 wins and three nightly victories under his belt. The 17 year-old is closely trailed by reigning world champion Humphries. Nathan Aspinall, despite a slow start to the season, now occupies third place, while Michael van Gerwen has slipped to fourth after a strong start on February 1.
Michael Smith stands the best chance of narrowing the gap to the top four and will be looking to make his mark against this year's consistent Premier League struggler Peter Wright in Aberdeen.
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