Gerwyn Price releases statement after being forced to pull out of World Cup of Darts as replacement named

Gerwyn Price has released a statement after being forced to withdraw from the World Cup of Darts.

Price, who was due to play for Wales alongside Jonny Clayton, has pulled out on the eve of the tournament due to health issues.

Wales are defending champions of the event, with Price and Clayton defeating the Scotland pairing of Peter Wright and Gary Anderson 10-2 in the final in Frankfurt.

That means they are seeded in second for the 2024 event, with the England pairing of Luke Humphries and Michael Smith assigned as the number one seeds.

But 'The Iceman' won't play any part in the event this year, which will once again take place in Frankfurt with a total £450,000 prize pot.

He has been replaced by former BDO star Jim Williams, who is ranked 44th in the current PDC Order of Merit.

In a statement to the PDC's official website, Price said of his withdrawal: "I'm massively disappointed that I'm having to miss the World Cup and I always love representing Wales.

"I wish Jonny and Jim Williams the best of luck this weekend, and hopefully they can bring back the title again!"

The World Cup of Darts is scheduled to begin at 6:10pm on Thursday evening, with the seeded Swedish pair of Jeffrey de Graaf and Oskar Lukasiak taking on Spain's Jose Justicia and Jesus Noguera.

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Humphries and Smith are not in action in the first stage, which is contested between the 36 lowest-ranked nations out of the 40 that are competing.

Other notable pairings include Netherlands' Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert, and the German duo of Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler.

Belgium's Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts could provide some fireworks, while the veteran pairing of Wright and Anderson once again form Scotland's challenge at the World Cup of Darts.

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