Michael Smith vows to be “back and firing” as Players Championship absence revealed

Michael Smith’s absence from the upcoming Players Championship events and European Tour qualifiers has been clarified in a statement by his management company.

Smith will miss the ProTour double-header in Hildesheim on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Thursday’s pair of European Tour qualifiers, in order to undergo treatment for a longstanding injury.

The 2023 World Champion missed out on the recent World Matchplay for the first time since 2013 and is currently outside of the provisional qualification places for October’s World Grand Prix.

Smith has suffered a number of injury setbacks of late, including arthritis in his throwing hand, and has recently developed a problem with his left foot.

A statement from his management company Darting Promotions Limited, on Monday, read: ‘We have become aware over the last few days of reports/comments on social media regarding Michael and his participation in events in the near future.

‘Ourselves and Michael would like to provide a short update on the injuries which have been affecting him in recent months and assure fans that he will be back fully fit very soon.

‘As you are all aware Michael has been suffering with arthritis in his right hand for a while and has recently developed a problem with his left foot/ankle.

‘After recent blood tests this has revealed certain answers and we are now hopeful that with a course of medication these problems can be controlled in the future.

‘As you will have seen Michael has withdrawn from this week’s events in Germany, this is due to him requiring a scan on his shoulder which was damaged at Christmas time.

‘This has been arranged for this week which unfortunately means he is unable to take part in the upcoming Pro Tours and European Tour qualifiers.

‘We feel this is now the right time to hopefully resolve the above issues and allow Michael to get back to his best and be back playing the way we all know he can.’

Smith later posted on X: ‘And get my eyes lasered in there also. I hope you will all understand but I promise I’ll be back and firing again few hiccups won’t ruin me, I’ve proved that time and time again.’

The 34-year-old reached the quarter-finals of the UK Open back in March but has suffered a number of early exits on both the ProTour and European Tour throughout the season so far, dropping to 21st in the PDC Order of Merit.