MICHAEL SMITH will compete in Thursday's Unibet Premier League at Westpoint Exeter despite needing emergency surgery on an abscess on Monday.
The Premier League and World Championship finalist required surgery on Monday after the abscess worsened during last weekend.
Smith is now recovering from the infection and is set to line up against Raymond van Barneveld in Exeter on Thursday before then competing in the Ladbrokes UK Open this weekend.
"I'm not sure how I will be," Smith told Live Darts. "I'm on painkillers and antibiotics.
"I've got strapping round my leg and groin which has to be changed every day to protect it from further infection."
Smith has picked up just one point from his opening three Premier League games, but is targeting a first victory of the season against the five-time World Champion.
"It's been a tough start to the Premier League," he added. "My leg hasn't really helped to be honest.
"It's been there for six weeks and bugging me a bit and stressing me out. I should have just got it checked earlier. I was just being a bloke and not getting it checked, thinking it will heal itself."
Tickets for the Unibet Premier League at Westpoint Exeter are still available and can be purchased by calling 08444 99 99 55 or visit www.ticketzone.co.uk.
2019 Unibet Premier League
Night Four - Thursday February 28
Westpoint Exeter
Luke Humphries (C) v Gerwyn Price
Daryl Gurney v Rob Cross
Mensur Suljovic v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Michael Smith v Raymond van Barneveld
Tickets: 08444 99 99 55 or www.ticketzone.co.uk