MARK FROST has been practising with Phil Taylor in preparation for a Stan James World Matchplay debut against Raymond van Barneveld on Monday.
The Stoke qualifier's displays on the PDC Pro Tour this year have earned him a spot at the Winter Gardens, and with it a draw against the world number two.
Frost has linked up with fellow Stoke star Phil Taylor to prepare for the event, and is looking forward to his Blackpool debut.
"It's been great experience with Phil," said Frost. "I'm practising with the best player in the world and I've been pushing him hard, and running him close."
Despite coming up against the world number two, Frost says he will hold no fear when he takes on van Barneveld.
"It's a fantastic draw," he said. "Ray's one of the best players in the world and I'm supposedly a nobody.
"But I think I'm good enough to beat him on my day.
"I've been practising with Phil and I've run him close, so I don't think I've got any worries with Raymond.
"It's my first big televised competition, so the nerves are going to be there, but I think I've got the game to beat him."
A scaffolder by trade, Frost has taken almost a month off work in his bid to break into the darting big-time, having competed in the Blue Square UK Open in June and missed out in the qualifiers at the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.
"I work for Carrington's scaffolding and we normally do five or six days a week, in all weathers, to get the job done," he revealed.
"It's very hard work, so this is fantastic - maybe I can make a living from darts one day!
"I've effectively had a month off work, with going to Las Vegas and now being in Las Vegas. Phil sponsored me for Las Vegas, which was a big honour, but I knew I had to do well in the Players Championship there.
"I reached the quarter-finals and that was enough to get me into the World Matchplay, but I felt I should have done even better.
"I lost 3-2 to Michael Rosenauer and I should have beaten him - perhaps beating him would have helped more with qualifying for the World Grand Prix in Ireland. But I was happy with that and Ireland's the next aim for me after this.
"Hopefully I should get into the World Championship too. There's a few more Players Championships to come but I've done well so far and maybe I've done enough.
"Without a doubt this is my best year. I don't go to all the competitions because I've got a family to look after and work. But getting into the World Matchplay is awesome."
Tickets are still available for the Stan James World Matchplay, visit the Winter Gardens Box Office for more details or call 0844 856 1111.