Phil Taylor has called on World Darts Championship organisers to alter the playing schedule ahead of this year's tournament.

The 54-year-old exited the showpiece event at the second-round stage last year following a shock defeat at the hands of world number 32 Michael Smith, which saw him lose his top-placed ranking to eventual winner Michael van Gerwen.

Taylor was left unhappy at the timing of the defeat against Smith, with the players not leaving the stage at Alexandra Palace until close to midnight.

"I've told them, 'If you put me on at midnight, I might as well not play'. Playing at 11.45pm is miles too late. I want to be on earlier," the 16-time champion is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"They have to change the schedules. They have to realise that I can't do that anymore. I keep telling them that. Van Gerwen is the champion now – put him on at midnight. He is a young kid. I'd rather play at 9am than at midnight. That suits me better."

Germany's Jyhan Artut awaits Taylor in first round of the tournament, which gets underway on Thursday evening.