Phil Taylor has acknowledged that he faces a "massive game" tonight when he takes on Peter Wright in the Darts Premier League.

'The Power', who was defeated 7-4 by Wright when the pair met earlier this season, has returned to form in recent times with a playoff spot now within sight.

"It's a massive game," the 53-year-old told Sky Sports News. "I'm really up for it and I opted not to play in the two tournaments last weekend to get myself ready for this - that's how important it is to me.

"It's a race for the ticker-tape now, so everybody's going to push forward and the pressure's on. I've been very impressed by Peter this season.

"He's been confident and I think he's wound a few players up and they've bitten to it, but he's doing it on the board, he's hitting the right shot that's hurting players and the other players don't know how to handle it."

Elsewhere in Newcastle tonight, Michael van Gerwen will meet fellow countryman Raymond van Barneveld.