Wright ready to be top banana again

PETER WRIGHT believes sticking to fruit and salad will make him World No.1 again. 

The World Champion returns to the oche this weekend for the Hungarian Darts Trophy after an op to remove his gallbladder three weeks ago. 

Livingston-born Wright, 52, missed the World Series but now believes he is fresher and fitter than ever to make him top banana in the sport and overtake Gerwyn Price. 

He said: “I’m looking forward to being back on stage. I’ve been practising but that’s obviously not the same as playing competitively. 

“After the operation I thought to myself ‘what have I done’. I was in so much pain. It’s still a little bit sore and got a bit of bruising but I feel 100 times better now. 

“But it’s a relief that it’s done, I feel positive for the future going into the next few years, at least five or 10 more. It feels like I’m starting a fresh again. 

“Obviously I’ve still got to eat healthy and make sure I look after myself. 

“I’m having to stick to fruit and salads and I think that can keep me fit and sharp.”

Price re-took the World No.1 spot from Wright when he lost in the quarters of the World Matchplay in late July. 

He added: “I think being World No.1 will happen automatically. My head space is good. Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen are playing some fantastic darts plus the likes of Jonny Clayton, Joe Cullen and James Wade - the list goes on an on.

“If the darts go in like they should, there should be some nice big averages and trophies to go with it.”

Wright also dismissed any talk of a ‘frosty handshake’ after Dimitri Van den Bergh had KO’d him in the last eight in Blackpool.

He added: “I was just fed up and disappointed going out in the quarters. My throw was too high and I couldn’t adjust. Even though I won the first session 4-1, the darts weren’t going right at all. 

“I was just annoyed with myself, one of those things.”

Words: Phil Lanning

Images: Taylor Lanning