DENNIS PRIESTLEY makes his return to action today, less than three months after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.
Priestley, 57, was diagnosed with the disease late last year, continuing to play on the professional circuit until the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship at Christmas.
After suffering a first round defeat to Steve Maish at Alexandra Palace, he had surgery in the New Year and has since been recuperating at his Barnsley home.
"I've been quite lucky," admitted the two-time World Champion. "I've not been that ill with it and hopefully I'll have some good news when the doctors get the PSA count back.
"I had it out on 2nd January, and it's just a matter of waiting for your body to settle down before you find out if it's all gone.
"It's not been a nice time, it's like waiting to be hung to be honest - you don't know what's in store, and touch wood it's good news.
"I went to the doctors and it was discovered pretty quickly, although the tests took about a year before it was diagnosed."
Priestley has enjoyed 20 years at the top of the sport, and still believes he can compete amongst the best in darts despite his enforced lay-off.
"I'm going to give it a go in Wigan and see what happens," said 'The Menace'.
"You have to start back somewhere and it won't be a great downfall if I'm not winning straight away, but I'll persevere and see what happens.
"I have missed turning up and playing, I haven't competed at all since I lost at the World Championship on 20th December, but for the last three weeks I've been playing an hour or so a night and it still seems to be there.
"I have to get back into the competition now and see if the fire's still in the belly to want to win.
"You can practice all day, but if you don't want to win when you get there, it's pointless."
The Yorkhireman also revealed he has been overwhelmed by the response he has received from friends and fans since he was diagnosed with the illness.
"It's been brilliant and I'd like to thank everybody," he added. "I've had hundreds and hundreds of emails and everybody's been fantastic.
"Their support's been amazing."
Priestley was given a standing ovation by fans at the Sheffield Arena on Thursday when he attended the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in his native Yorkshire.
He is pictured with Brian Howard, who has captained Barnsley FC to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.