Utilita Arena Birmingham hosts Night Thirteen and late breaking news has added extra sizzle. Peter Wright replaces flu stricken Stephen Bunting and will test himself against world number one Luke Humphries in the opening quarter final. The two time world champion admits he views the cameo as an audition for a full time return in next season’s league.

Wright has ditched his trademark scalloped barrels for a straight forty gram prototype and early practice clips show improved grouping on the treble twenties. Humphries enters only nine points behind Luke Littler and senses a chance to apply real pressure with London looming.

The second quarter final pits Littler against Michael van Gerwen in a bout that has already produced social media fireworks. Van Gerwen overturned a four nil deficit to beat the teenager in Rotterdam and boasts a narrow head to head lead that dates back to their first televised meeting twelve months ago.

Nathan Aspinall faces Gerwyn Price in a tie that could see the winner leap into the top three while Chris Dobey meets Rob Cross looking to revive fading play off hopes. Record demand prompted organisers to extend the arena floor plan and talkSPORT reports the largest indoor crowd for darts in Birmingham history.

Wright insists he still belongs on the big stage and vows to deliver a performance that matches his flamboyant attire. If Snakebite sinks his fangs into Humphries the entire play off picture could be ripped wide open before the end of the night.