Duo Back In Action

BARRIE BATES and Mark Dudbridge will return from injury lay-offs in the Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional Final on Sunday.

Bates has not played for four weeks after suffering ongoing problems with his right foot.

The Welshman has struggled since last summer, when he suffered a broken bone in the foot which has never settled.

He last competed in the North-East Regional Final in Gateshead, losing 5-0 to Colin Lloyd and finding himself virtually unable to walk.

Bates withdrew from the two Players Championships in Gibraltar in order to visit a specialist last month, and although he is awaiting the results of further tests the world number 12 will be back in action on Sunday in Taunton.

"Gateshead was the final straw for me," admitted Bates. "I could hardly walk and I couldn't even stand long enough to mark.

"I decided to see a private doctor and he drained the fluid from my feet and ankles and since then I've been feeling about 50 percent better.

"I've had some time resting but I'm able to practice again, have started playing in my local league and am looking forward to getting back into action in Taunton."

Another player who has been undergoing treatment in recent weeks is Mark Dudbridge, who had a hernia operation following Gibraltar.

The Bristolian returned to practice this week ahead of the South-West Regional Final - an event he won two years ago, meaning he defends £4,000 on the PDC Order of Merit this weekend.

Two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley continues to recuperate at home following his prostate cancer operation in January.

The Yorkshireman will have blood tests to determine the success of the operation at the end of March, but is recovering well and has revealed he may be fit to return to action for the two tournaments in Wigan on 15 and 16 March.

Sunday's Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional Final will begin at midday, with admission for the general public from 3.30pm ahead of the start of the quarter-finals at 4pm.
Admission will be priced at £10 for adults, £5 for unemployed and over-65's and £1 for under-16's.
The quarter-finals onwards will be played on stage and streamed live online through www.bluesquare.com and www.bet365.com.

Click here for the Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional Final Draw