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But it is a big ask for Manley at Carlisle’s Sands Centre, as he faces the big guns – Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld.

“It couldn’t be tougher!” he admitted. “If I can get at least a point out of the night – that will keep me in the running. Obviously I am going for two wins…that would be fantastic but I also have to be realistic, the way they are both playing.”

Team Unicorn’s Manley currently lies 5th in the table, with four points from his six games and after Carlisle, he plays Taylor again the following week in Newport.

“It looks like I may have to repeat my run of last year. I won my last three matches and it was enough to get me into the semi-finals. It looks like Phil and Barney have booked their places at Plymouth for Finals Day in May, so five of us are battling it out for those last two places.”

Manley lives just a mile from the venue in Carlisle and he is confident his knee problem won’t hamper him. He badly twisted his knee getting into a car 10 days ago and it clearly caused him all sorts of woes against Barneveld in Bournemouth.

“It is a little easier now,” he said. “I have been resting up as much as possible and taking pain killers. Hopefully, it’ll be alright on the night! I am desperate to put on a good show in front of my home fans.”

‘One Dart’ has been busy on the exhibition circuit, having just finished a four-night run in Cork, where the ‘Amarillo’ walk-on was in great demand.

He explained: “I have been playing to crowds of 200-300 people and they demand the walk-on!”

It is a year ago that Manley first revealed his new walk-on and new image. Darts fans across the country went potty and he is hoping it will bring him luck on home turf.

Last week of course, Manley was a mere spectator as he witnessed Barney’s magical 9-darter and suffered that 8-3 defeat. “I didn’t do much wrong,” he said. “Barney showed as much skill and class as Taylor that night. Hopefully, he’s off form in Carlisle!”

Manley believes the great unknown in the equation is Unicorn stablemate Colin Lloyd. He said: “We are all waiting for Colin to show his true colours. His draw with Wayne Mardle last week was a help to me but it’s surely only a matter of time before he rediscovers his best form.”

Lloyd has struggled so far, picking up just three points and he is second from bottom in the table. His match against the fast-improving Ronnie Baxter is crucial. Revenge is the name of the game, after ‘The Rocket’ produced fireworks in beating Lloyd 8-3 in Aberdeen.

Realistically, Wayne Mardle has to beat Roland Scholten to stay in contention. If Taylor beats Manley, ‘The Power’ can start planning his trip to Plymouth at the end of May!

Order of Play

Phil Taylor v Peter Manley
Ronnie Baxter v Colin Lloyd
Wayne Mardle v Roland Scholten
Peter Manley v Raymond Van Barneveld

Remember, as always, there will be an in-depth report plus reaction from the players after week six of the Premier League from Carlisle

By Stuart Pyke