‘I changed for a reason’ – Michael van Gerwen desperate to break unwanted TV hoodoo in Darts Premier League

BULLISH Michael van Gerwen has told Holland fans they can put their shirt on him reaching the Premier League playoffs despite his freak jersey injury.

Two weeks ago, the Dutch thrower, 35, suffered a “stupid” moment when he hurt his shoulder while trying on darts tops for his sponsors and he joked: “I feel like an old man already.”

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The painful issue saw him pull out of the Berlin Prem night and the 6-0 walkover win handed to Gerwyn Price means MVG sits fifth in the table – with only the top four men qualifying for the London O2 Arena semis on May 29.

Only once in 12 previous years has the seven-time champion failed to make at least the last four of the £1million competition.

Van Gerwen plays Stephen Bunting in front of orange-clad home punters in Rotterdam on Thursday but he says the “fire” is still there to be successful despite no TV title for 15 months.

He said: “I’m pain-free now. It’s a little bit stiff but it doesn’t affect my darts.

“I think it’s just me, having the wrong arm. I need to buy a new one!

“I still have the fire in my belly. The anger is still there when you don’t perform 100 per cent.

“When you face the past, you’ve your back against the future. You’ve to look to the future.

“I changed darts for a reason. To get my mind off things. When you aren’t 100 per cent comfortable, it’s a nice thing, but it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to.

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“After last week, I’m glad I can play darts again and that’s the biggest plus.

“It’s not the most pleasant moment in my career. I’ll never give up. I’ll fight for everything. I know it’s still there. You don’t lose talent like that.

“You need to keep hold of your own belief and as long as you can do that, a lot is possible. The last two years haven’t been consistent.

“I won absolutely nothing but in the rankings, I won the most prize money after the two Lukes.

“But for what I have in my tank, it’s underperforming, simple as that.

“The Premier League doesn’t move on for anyone. Last week when I pulled out, I couldn’t throw a dart. The 6-0 walkover defeat doesn’t help but it is what it is.

“I still believe I can make the top-four, 100 per cent. But you have to win points.

“The fire is in my belly to perform. I have to keep grafting.”