UK OPEN champion Robert Thornton is relishing being drawn alongside Ted Hankey, Michael van Gerwen and Steve Beaton in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.
The Scot makes his return to the Wolves Civic event on Saturday with a Group B opener against Hankey, the two-time Lakeside Champion who moved onto the PDC circuit this year.
Thornton will also meet last month's World Grand Prix champion van Gerwen and 2010 Grand Slam semi-finalist Beaton in the round-robin stage, but after picking up the Speedy Services UK Open title in June and a Players Championship win last month is in confident mood.
"I'm really looking forward to it and I just want to keep doing well," Thornton told his official website. "My game has improved big time recently.
"I've been really happy with how I've played on the ProTour but I'm still an underdog in most games when it comes to the big TV tournaments. I like it that way though because that is when I'm at my most dangerous."
He added: "I like this tournament - it always provides a lot of great matches and every player is a champion in one form or another.
"I'm particularly looking forward to the game against Michael. He has been playing incredible darts lately and if we are both on our game, that should be a excellent match.
"Getting through the group stage next week is my first target and I’ll take it from there but obviously I want to go as far as possible.
"The draw could have been a lot worse for me. Every group is tough though and I;m going to have to work hard to go through.
"I want to win the group but as long as I finish second I'll be happy enough."
Tickets for the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts are still available in person from the Wolves Civic Box Office in Queens Square, by calling 0870 320 7000 or via www.wolvescivic.co.uk.