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Gary Anderson ready to make return to action at UK Open this weekend

Coral UK Open 2018 Final.Butlins Minehead .Gary Anderson v Corey Cadby.Pic: Christopher Dean / Scantech Media Ltd /  for the PDC.07930 364436.chris@scantechmedia.com.www.scantechmedia.com.
Image: Anderson is set to make his first competitive appearance of 2019 at this year's UK Open

Two-time world champion Gary Anderson makes his return from injury to defend his UK Open crown in Minehead this weekend.

The Scot has been sidelined for two months with a back problem which forced him to pull out of this year's Premier League.

However, 'The Flying Scotsman' will feature in the 159-player field at the Butlin's Minehead Resort from March 1-3 as he bids to defend his title.

Under a new structure for the unique, multi-board event - PDC Tour Card Holders receive automatic entry into the UK Open, with only last year's finalist Corey Cadby missing out due to ongoing visa issues.

Those 127 players are joined by 16 qualifiers from the 2018 PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour Order of Merit and 16 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.

UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE 2019.UTILITA  ARENA ,.NEWCASTLE.PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG.RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD V JAMES WADE.JAMES WADE IN ACTION
Image: Wade won the UK Open back in 2008 and 2011

The first-round draw sees Tour Card Holders ranked from 96-127 joined by the Challenge Tour qualifiers and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers, with Darren Beveridge receiving a bye to the second round.

The players ranked from 65-96 enter in the second round, with the players ranked from 33-64 coming in at the third round stage.

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The world's top 32 - including Anderson, enter the tournament at the last 64 stage on Friday evening.

From the conclusion of the third round, an open draw will be made - meaning the world's best can be pitted against each other at any stage in the tournament.

Michael van Gerwen
Image: Michael van Gerwen is vying for a third UK Open title

World No 1 Michael van Gerwen is vying for a third UK Open title, while former UK Open champions Raymond van Barneveld, Peter Wright, Adrian Lewis and James Wade also join the action on Friday night.

Wade is one of just three players who will maintain an ever-present record in this tournament, as 'The Machine' is joined by former semi-finalist Steve Beaton and two-time quarter-finalist Wayne Jones in making their 17th consecutive appearances in the 'FA Cup of Darts'.

Former World Championship semi-finalist Jones faces Vincent Kamphuis in round-two, whilst Wade and Beaton both enter the event in the fourth round on Friday evening.

The Premier League heads to the BHGE Arena in Aberdeen on Thursday, March 7. 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

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