Scot makes his return to action as he defends the UK Open title in a tournament dubbed "The FA Cup of Darts"
Monday 25 February 2019 15:52, UK
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson will return to competitive action to defend the UK Open this weekend.
The Scot has spent two months on the sidelines with a back problem which forced him to pull out of this year's Premier League.
But the Professional Darts Corporation announced on Monday Anderson has been included in the field, with the 159-player field now finalised, at the Butlin's Minehead Resort from March 1-3.
Under a new structure for the unique, multi-board event - the PDC Tour Card Holders receive automatic entry into the UK Open, with only Australia's Corey Cadby missing out.
Those 127 players are joined by 16 qualifiers from the 2018 PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour Order of Merit and 16 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.
The first-round draw will see the Tour Card Holders ranked from 96-127 joined by the Challenge Tour qualifiers and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers, with one player to receive a bye.
The players ranked from 65-96 will enter in the second round, with the players ranked from 33-64 coming in at the third round stage.
The world's top 32 - including Anderson, world champion Michael van Gerwen and former UK Open champions Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright - come into the event in Friday evening's fourth round.
From the conclusion of the third round onwards, an open draw will be made - meaning that leading players could clash at any stage in a tournament dubbed "The FA Cup of Darts".
The Premier League heads to the Westpoint Arena, Exeter on Thursday, February 28. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsDarts and get all the latest news, previews and interviews www.skysports.com/darts
