JOHN PART is hoping to make an early statement in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts when he faces Raymond van Barneveld on Thursday.
Part returned to Premier League Darts with a draw against Peter Manley last week in Glasgow, coming from 3-0 down to snatch a point with a seven-all stalemate.
The Canadian meets van Barneveld in Plymouth on Thursday in a clash of the current and former PDC World Champions.
With van Barneveld opening with a victory against Wayne Mardle, Part admits that a win for either player could be important in the play-off race.
"The early games are going to be very important," said Part.
"Ray pulled himself together well in his first match and I don't think there's any real weakness to speak of.
"It's going to be a game of getting a lead and holding it."
Part's success in the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship earned him a return to the Premier League, and he admitted he was delighted to be back in the tournament.
"It's fantastic," he added. "This is where I belong playing darts and I love it!"
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Night Two, Plymouth Pavilions
John Part v Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley v Wayne Mardle
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