Top Chinese star Shi Yongsheng has been forced to withdraw from the World Darts Championship after failing to obtain a visa.
Chinese number one forced to miss World Darts Championship
Top Chinese star Shi Yongsheng has been forced to withdraw from the World Darts Championship after failing to obtain a visa to play in England.
The 39-year-old was hoping to make the trip to Alexandra Palace for Friday's start of the World Championship, but he has not been granted a visa to travel to the UK.
Yongsheng qualified for the Ally Pally after winning the Chinese National Championships and was due to make his fourth consecutive appearance at the world's biggest darts tournament.
His place in the field will be taken by Dutch left-hander Jan van der Rassel, who was the next non-qualified player from the Players Championship Order of Merit.
Van der Rassel, who has qualified for four previous World Championships, had originally missed out to Alex Roy and Carlos Rodriguez on a count-back after the trio finished 2009 level on £5,400 prize money.
He will take on Germany's Tomas Seyler in the preliminary round on Tuesday, with the winner going on to meet Denis Ovens in the first round.
