PHIL TAYLOR is hoping that a six-week break from the sport, and a change of darts, will help him get back to his best in the Betway Premier League Darts.
The 16-time World Champion suffered a second round exit at Alexandra Palace as World Youth Champion Michael Smith held his nerve to record an upset which saw the Sid Waddell Trophy slip from Taylor's grasp.
The Stoke great also lost his status as number one in the PDC Order of Merit when Michael van Gerwen went on to win the World Championship - after the Dutchman also defeated Taylor in the finals of the Premier League Darts and Players Championship Finals during 2013.
However, Taylor spent much of January in Portugal ahead of the start of the Betway Premier League Darts season in Liverpool, and admits that he is "buzzing" to get back on the big stage.
"I've had a good few weeks and I feel better now than I have done for a long time," said the 53-year-old.
"I'm trying to make my health better and also to improve my darts, and hopefully everything will come together, my averages will improve and my performances will be better.
"I'll be giving it the best shot that I can because the Premier League, in my opinion, is second only to the World Championship and I'll do everything I can to win back the title."
He added: "Leading into the World Championship, I had been playing my best darts but on that weekend, I just didn't feel right. I felt really lethargic and tired, and I've learned from it.
"I'm not a sore loser, but I knew exactly what I did wrong. I've had to put it right - I thought that I either needed to do it properly or retire - and I'm doing it properly."
Taylor's clash with van Gerwen at the Echo Arena on Thursday night will see him use a new set of darts in competition for the first time, after he signed a five-year deal with manufacturers Target Darts.
"Changing darts is a calculated gamble but I am confident it will work," said Taylor. "I'm always one for pushing forward and I like making changes.
"I've done it a lot of times during my career, and it's sometimes not always the greatest thing to do, but I'm going to keep trying to win.
"I am as hungry as ever now and I'm looking forward to getting back on top of the sport again. I lost my world number one status and I'll be challenging for that again."
Taylor's bid to win the Betway Premier League Darts title for a seventh time in ten years will begin as he plays van Gerwen in a repeat of last year's final.
"It's going to be a really good game on Thursday," added Taylor, the 11/5 second favourite to win the tournament on May 22.
"He's taken the number one spot and become World Champion so he's got a big target on his back and he's the one that everybody's going to go after."
The Betway Premier League Darts is being screened live on Sky Sports HD from 7pm on Thursday night. Tickets for Thursday's opening league night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool are still available by calling 0844 8000 400 or online via www.echoarena.com.
Betway Premier League Darts
Week One
February 6, Echo Arena, Liverpool
Dave Chisnall v Robert Thornton
Peter Wright v Wes Newton
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: 0844 8000 400 or www.echoarena.com