RONNIE BAXTER is eagerly anticipating his return to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday.
Baxter makes his Premier League comeback when he takes on Terry Jenkins at The O2 in London on Thursday, four years after previously competing in the event.
The Blackpool-based star narrowly missed out on a play-off place in 2006, but is hoping that this year's tournament will see him break into the top four.
"Obviously finishing in the top four is the obvious goal for me going into this year's tournament, and then you want to go on and win it," said Baxter.
"One of the big changes since I was last involved in the Premier League is the size of the crowds, because the biggest audience then was at Bournemouth when we had 3,000 fans and now we're talking between 8,000 and 10,000 at The O2.
"That's great, bring it on!
"It's all about getting on that stage and settling down because the big stage is where I want to be and it's up to me to be used to it."
Baxter had slipped down the rankings since 2006, but a superb run of form - including reaching three televised semi-finals last year - saw him return to sixth in the PDC Order of Merit, although he admits he faced a nervous wait to confirm an automatic Premier League spot.
"When I reached the semi-finals of the World Matchplay last June I went up to sixth in the world, and everyone was telling me then - with six months to go - that I was in the Premier League," he said.
"I couldn't perform at all, in the floor tournaments or on the stage, and I thought it was all slipping away from me.
"It came down to me and Adrian Lewis fighting it out in the end, and we finished the same in the German Darts Championship and also in the World Championship, so that put me through."
2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week One
February 11 - The O2, London
Ronnie Baxter v Terry Jenkins
Mervyn King v Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Simon Whitlock v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or www.theo2.co.uk
Tickets for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at The O2 in London are still available - call 0844 856 0202 or visit www.theo2.co.uk for further information.
Click here for full Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Ticket Information