PETER MANLEY will appear in front of his home-town crowd when the Holsten Premier League Darts returns to Carlisle's Sands Centre on Thursday.

Manley will play two matches on the night, taking on Phil Taylor in the first game before returning to face Raymond van Barneveld in the night's final contest.

He lost 8-3 to van Barneveld in Bournemouth last week, and believes he has to be more clinical if he is to reverse the result this week.

"To be honest, I'm not at my best at the moment but I didn't let it get in the way and I had my chances against Ray," said Manley.

"It's the same when you play Phil Taylor, if you don't take your chances against someone of that calibre you'll get beaten.

"I had the darts to make it one-all against Raymond, and 3-1 (down) is a big difference. I had some catching up to do, but he was great."

The Dutchman hit a nine-dart leg in the victory, and Manley admitted he was left in awe of the achievement, in front of 3,000 fans.

"It was a superb nine-darter, the first one that's been hit against me and what a stage to do it on," he added.

"To hit a nine-darter, you need someone pushing you to hit the scores.

"I remember when Phil Taylor did it in 2002 at the Stan James World Matchplay, and Chris Mason did the same thing and was pushing him all the way throughout."

Manley - who is originally from Surrey but now resident in Carlisle - relished the chance to play in front of his home crowd last year, and is looking forward to the experience in front of another Sands Centre sell-out this time.

"I can't wait," he said. "It's different this year - I had John Part and Phil Taylor and this time it's Phil and Raymond!

"The crowd were fantastic last year, they really got behind me and it was a brilliant night.

"It's another sell-out and I'm sure everyone will enjoy themselves."

Holsten Premier League Darts
Night Six, Sands Centre, Carlisle
Phil Taylor v Peter Manley
Ronnie Baxter v Colin Lloyd
Wayne Mardle v Roland Scholten
Peter Manley v Raymond van Barneveld
Live on Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm

Live commentary is available for DartsTV subscribers, and a Free Scorecentre is also available to stay up-to-date with the action.