ADRIAN LEWIS returns to action in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday with a crucial double-header at Aberdeen's AECC.
Lewis missed out on last week's Premier League after being struck down by viral gastroenteritis, meaning his showdown with 13-time World Champion Phil Taylor was postponed.
He has now recovered and will face Taylor in Aberdeen, before returning to the AECC stage to take on joint league leader James Wade - with Lewis able to finish the night at the head of the table should he win both matches.
"The virus did take a lot out of me but I'll be ready to give it everything I've got on Thursday night," said Lewis.
"I've had a couple of days practice and I'll get on the board once I arrive in Aberdeen, and I will be ready for Thursday night.
"I don't think I'll be too rusty and I'm looking forward to it but it's going to be a strange night - I could be top or bottom at the end and it's vital that I get at least one win, but I'm looking to win both games."
Lewis has practiced with Stoke rival Taylor in recent months and has not been surprised by his incredible return to form during March.
"I knew Phil would be back," said Lewis. "I saw him in practice and he was playing awesome - like he is now - and it was just a matter of him doing it on stage.
"To me, he's still the best player in the world and you have to be in top form to stand any chance against him.
"To win the first game against Phil would be a massive boost before I play James.
"James has a little bit more experience than me but we both came onto TV around the same time. It won't affect me that he's my mate, I'll go up there, be as professional as I can be and try to get both points!"
Wade shares the lead at the top of the table with Raymond van Barneveld, after Taylor's draw with Terry Jenkins in Birmingham last week left him a point adrift.
Taylor won both PDC Pro Tour events in Telford last weekend to complete an amazing month of March, winning six tournaments - including five in a row - out of the eight played away from the television cameras.
He has also won four and drawn one of his last five Premier League matches, and said: "I'm really looking forward to playing Adrian.
"It was a bit of a false alarm last week when he had to pull out on the day, but I'll be ready for him!
"I'm playing really well and delighted with how the last month has gone for me. I feel I've been improving every week and hopefully that will continue."
The tenth league night will also be a crucial evening for John Part and Peter Manley - who both sit adrift of the play-off places.
Manley's loss to Wayne Mardle last week saw him slump to the bottom of the table, with Part a point ahead following his 8-6 defeat to van Barneveld.
The duo switch opponents in Aberdeen, with Manley taking on van Barneveld and Part meeting Mardle, who has now joined Lewis and jenkins on eight points in the table following three successive victories.
Click here to read Rod Harrington's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts preview
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Ten - April 3, AECC, Aberdeen
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
Peter Manley v Raymond van Barneveld
John Part v Wayne Mardle
James Wade v Adrian Lewis
Live on Sky Sports One from 7.30pm
Follow the action live in DartsTV, with Live Audio Commentary for subscribers and a Free Live Scoreboard, along with Highlights available from Friday evening
Click here to purchase the official 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts programme