Nathan Aspinall has withdrawn from the upcoming Players Championship 23 and 24.
He will not compete in Leicester, opting instead to extend his time off after a recent holiday in Marbella with fellow darts players Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries, and Joe Cullen.
What happened?
Aspinall's withdrawal comes as no surprise, given his sporadic participation in ProTour events this season.
He has previously chosen to skip certain tournaments, including the end-of-year finals, due to his preference for selective competition.
Why it matters for Nathan Aspinall
This decision allows Aspinall to focus on his next scheduled appearance, which is set to take place in Leverkusen.
Other notable withdrawals from the Players Championship 23 and 24 include Luke Humphries, Jonny Clayton, and Dimitri van den Bergh, who is out due to medical reasons.
What comes next?
The withdrawals have led to a reshuffle in the lineup, with players like Niko Springer, Oskar Lukasiak, and Mattias Ehlers deciding not to participate in the next double header.
Joe Hunt, Derek Coulson, and Harry Ward are among those who will step in to replace the withdrawn players, with the latter two being new additions to the lineup.
Aspinall's decision to withdraw may not be the only one, as the ProTour is known for its late withdrawals.
The situation will become clearer tomorrow morning, ahead of the start of play.
Aspinall will next be in action in Leverkusen, alongside fellow players Luke Humphries and Jonny Clayton, who have also withdrawn from the Players Championship 23 and 24.
The Stockport ace has been selective about his participation in ProTour events, and his withdrawal from the upcoming tournaments is consistent with his approach this season.
With several high-profile players withdrawing from the Players Championship 23 and 24, the stage is set for an interesting couple of days in Leicester.
Aspinall's focus will now shift to his upcoming appearance in Leverkusen, where he will look to make a strong impression.