Eliminated Durrant targeting World Matchplay

Glen Durrant (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Glen Durrant has set his sights on returning to top form this summer following his Unibet Premier League elimination.

The Middlesbrough ace will see his Premier League title defence end on Thursday following Judgement Night, having suffered seven straight losses so far this season.

After losing all five games in the opening block of Premier League fixtures, Durrant admitted that he was working to correct "something fundamentally different" with his throwing action.

This week has seen Durrant defeated by Michael van Gerwen and Jose de Sousa in Milton Keynes to leave him mathematically unable to survive beyond Judgement Night.

However, he hopes to end the season strongly against Rob Cross and Peter Wright before beginning his preparation for July's Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool.

"It's devastating for me and it's been a nightmare seven games," said Durrant. "I've been working so hard because I know there's something wrong with my game, and my target now is the World Matchplay.

"I want to finish strongly in the last two games and take something from this season but it's been so disappointing for me."

Durrant produced his highest average of the season on Tuesday and led De Sousa 3-2 before the Grand Slam champion turned the game with an 11-darter as he surged to victory.

De Sousa has landed a nine-darter already during his debut Premier League season, and Durrant believes that the Portuguese star - a regular practice partner - could even emulate him as champion next month.

"I think I've created a monster - he's so good," said Durrant. "When Jose takes his practice darts onto the main board, he can be the best in the world."

The Unibet Premier League is broadcast through Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, RTL7 in the Netherlands, DAZN in various worldwide territories including Germany & America, as well as through the PDC's global broadcast partners and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers outside of the UK, Ireland & Netherlands.

Unibet Premier League
Night Eight - Wednesday April 21
Rob Cross v Nathan Aspinall
Gary Anderson v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael van Gerwen v Jose de Sousa
James Wade v Jonny Clayton
Peter Wright v Glen Durrant
Best of 12 legs