STEPHEN BUNTING has set his sights on winning a Betway Premier League Play-Off place to crown his first season in the tournament, after joining Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld in escaping elimination last week.
Bunting's draw with Kim Huybrechts on Judgement night in Manchester knocked out the Belgian, while Peter Wright also drops out of the Premier League following his decisive loss to Lewis.
With seven games remaining of the regular season, the eight stars now continue the battle to claim a top-four finish and a place in May's Play-Offs at The O2 in London.
While Michael van Gerwen is unbeaten at the head of the table with Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson also comfortably in the top three, defeats for James Wade and Phil Taylor last week have left the race for a Play-Off spot wide open.
Bunting takes on van Gerwen in Sheffield on Thursday, and is aiming to end the Dutchman's amazing run with a victory to boost his own semi-final hopes.
"Every point could be massive over the next few weeks and I want to push towards the top four," said the St Helens ace, who turns 30 on Thursday.
"I'm going to put a lot of groundwork in on the practice board because I still don't feel like I'm 100 percent, and hopefully I can get the two points this week.
"It was always going to be difficult last week - this is my first Premier League and that was something new for me, I was really nervous before the game but so happy afterwards.
"It's been dramatic, tiring and scary so far and I've been really nervous getting used to the crowds and the venues, but it's something I love doing.
"It's the best tournament in the world for me, even better than the World Championship, and you get to show what you're all about over 16 weeks.
"This is my debut and it was always going to be nervous but hopefully I can push into the top four now. I'll be trying my best and we'll see how the next weeks progress."
Betway Premier League
Night Ten, Thursday April 9
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting v Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall v James Wade
Tickets: 0114 256 5656 or www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk