WES NEWTON is hoping to cause Phil Taylor a shed-load of trouble when the pair meet in the Stan James World Matchplay on Monday.
Newton has locked himself away inside a log cabin in the grounds of his family home in Fleetwood to prepare for his first round clash with the 13-time World Champion at the World Matchplay.
The 29-year-old competes on the professional circuit with brother Dale, and they have converted the garden shed at their Fleetwood family home into a practice room.
The world number 23 has been spending up to three hours a day on the oche in the build-up to his appearance at the Winter Gardens - ten minute's drive from his home.
"It's a bit tight in the house to have a comfortable oche, so we thought it was a good idea," revealed Newton.
"My sponsor has a shed at his house in London - we call it the Love Shack! - and we got the idea from there.
"It's great because you can't always get the privacy you want if you practice in a local pub, and I can step out here whenever I like.
"Sometimes my brother Dale plays too, we have a few arguments now and again when the games are close, and my Dad used to play but I think he's retired now!"
Newton is also playing host to fellow competitor Colin Osborne, who is also in action on Monday night when he faces Dennis Priestley, and he added: "It's been great preparation having someone as good as Colin to practice with.
"We've had some really competitive matches and I'll be ready for Phil!"
Newton, who turns 30 in August, faces defending champion Taylor on Monday evening in a choice first round clash, only a fortnight after beating world number three Colin Lloyd in the Las Vegas Desert Classic.
"It was good for me," said Newton, who averaged a career-best 101 against Lloyd before losing to Terry Jenkins 8-7 in round two.
"I've been playing well for two or three months and I've done pretty well in Las Vegas in the past, so I wanted to carry that on.
"I played really well in qualifying and it was excellent against Colin, although I was a bit disappointed to lose to Terry in the second round even though it was close.
"I want to take that forward now and hopefully have a good match with Phil.
"I've played him a few times recently and got used to it, so I can get my head down and concentrate on my own game.
"I've not won any games against him yet, but hopefully that will change on Monday!
"He's the best player in the game but Mark Dudbridge's win over him in Las Vegas gives us all belief that you can go up there and win."
Newton made his World Matchplay debut last July, losing 10-2 to Canadian John Part, but will have a large following in the Winter Gardens crowd next week.
"It's brilliant to have that backing and support from my family and friends," he added.
"I always used to go to the Winter Gardens and watch the darts but when I started playing on the circuit I was too envious when I didn't play, so I didn't go for three years.
"Then last year I qualified and I guess there was a lot of relief but John gave me a good kicking!
"This year I can enjoy the occasion more and look forward to it.
"There's no travelling for me and I can relax at home - it can be tiring travelling around on the circuit and staying in hotels but here I'm only ten minutes from home."
Tickets for the Stan James World Matchplay are still available - for further details, contact the Winter Gardens Box Office or call Ticketmaster on 0870 380 1111.