WELSHMAN Steve Alker is to take a break from the sport after being struck down with dartitis.
Alker made a great impression during 2005, qualifying for the Budweiser UK Open before going on to reach the last 16 at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
However, he has been absent from the PDC scene since May, and has had to give up in his battle to regain form ahead of the PDPA Qualifiers for this year's World Championship.
"I'm gutted, it's been a very hard decision to make," said Alker, nicknamed "Snakeman" due to his love of the reptile.
"I started to get problems after the Open Holland. I had a few problems there but won the pairs with Wayne Atwood, and then a couple of weeks later my arm stopped.
"It literally wouldn't go forward at all. I've tried having a break, and I went for two or three weeks without throwing a dart but it didn't make much difference.
"My arm has literally stopped working, and it's embarrassing to be honest. It has wrecked my year and there's nothing I can do about it at the moment.
"I will be back on the PDC circuit though. I'm going to try and build myself back up again by playing in some smaller competitions.
"Hopefully I can get back a rhythm, rebuild my game and get the sponsorship to return to the circuit."