Michael van Gerwen out of Premier League clash with James Wade in Exeter
Sunday 5 March 2017 14:25, UK
Michael van Gerwen will miss Night Five of the Premier League in Exeter after suffering a back injury, meaning Dave Chisnall will play twice.
The current world champion and defending Premier League champion has been forced to withdraw to focus on the UK Open in Minehead, where he is also the defending champion.
Van Gerwen has opted for rest in the build-up to this weekend's major with the hope he will be fit for the three-day extravaganza and it means the two-time world champion will now play twice on Night Eight in Manchester.
Taking Van Gerwen's place at Exeter's Westpoint Arena will be Chizzy who will now face Wade as well as his scheduled match against Raymond van Barneveld.
World no 1 Van Gerwen would then compete twice in three weeks time, his rearranged clash with The Machine preceding his meeting with Barney.
Revised fixtures and order of play for the Betway Premier League nights in Exeter and Manchester are as follows:
Night Five - Thursday March 2
Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld
Jelle Klaasen v Kim Huybrechts
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
James Wade v Dave Chisnall
Live Premier League Darts
Night Eight - Thursday March 23
The Manchester Arena
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Kim Huybrechts v Gary Anderson
Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
Jelle Klaasen v Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
Watch Premier League Darts on Thursday, from Westpoint Arena in Exeter, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
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