Adrian Lewis has admitted that he has cost himself the opportunity of successive victories in the Premier League over the past two weeks.

The world number four has squandered winning positions against both Kim Huybrechts and Michael van Gerwen, but ahead of his clash with Stephen Bunting in Exeter, the Stoke-on-Trent thrower has insisted that he must remain positive as he looks to move up the league table.

The 30-year-old told PDC.tv: "It's a tough tournament and I've probably cost myself points in the last two weeks, but I'm looking forward to playing Stephen now because you can't dwell on things in the Premier League.

"Stephen's trying to find his feet in the Premier League but it's a marathon, not a sprint and you've got to keep going. It's going to be a tough game and it's a massive weekend for me."

Lewis will begin the defence of his UK Open title on Friday evening when he enters the tournament at the third-round stage.