STEPHEN BUNTING could play a key role at Ally Pally next month – as the practice partner for both LUKES!

It has not happened for him in the same way since switching over to the PDC ranks but lifting the Masters trophy in February was a significant confidence and bank-balance booster.

Bunting – who lives in St Helens – would love to become the fifth person to lift both versions, BDO and PDC, of the world crown.

And in advance of his latest campaign, he plans to do training sessions with Cheshire-based world No.1 Luke Humphries AND Luke Littler, who hails from Warrington.

The Lukes of Hazard could meet in the semi-finals of the Worlds, a year on from their epic final showdown, which was watched live on Sky Sports by an audience of 4.8million.

Bunting may upset the cart, though, as he could face Humphries in the quarter-finals and then Littler in the semis.

He said: “I think Luke (Humphries) and I touched on it a few months ago and talked about practice together.
“Location is the key, we are in the same area.

“So I think we’ll definitely get in two or three sessions before the Worlds. I think that will put me in really good stead.

“It will be ideal for me to practice with the best player in the world.

BULLET TRAINING

Stephen Bunting set to play major role in deciding who wins darts World Championship as he reveals practice plans