Luke Littler 'eats pressure for breakfast' as Rob Cross targets extra level in World Grand Prix battle

Luke Littler 'eats pressure for breakfast' and once he gets going you 'need a fire extinguisher to put him out'.

That's the verdict of fellow darts star Rob Cross as he gets ready to battle the teenage sensation in his debut World Grand Prix event in Leicester. The 17-year-old is one of the big names in action in the opening night at the tournament with holder Luke Humphries also taking to the stage as part of eight first-round ties at the Mattioli Arena.

The annual PDC tournament has paired the duo - who squared off in the Premier League darts format - in a blockbuster opening round battle and Cross concedes his rival has been amazing for the game with the spotlight firmly on him after his meteoric rise. He admits nothing at all worries Littler and even know he knows the eyes of the world are on him, he puts it all to one side. He's also been tipped to be a major force in the darts world for years to come but Englishman Cross says his only focus is stopping him tonight in what he admits is a 'really tough draw'.

Cross conceded: "Nothing worries Luke at all. He eats pressure for breakfast. The boy has been amazing for the game. He's a really good lad and we've practiced a lot this year in the Premier League."

"Somewhere deep down, he will know that all eyes are on him, but he deals with it so well. When he decides to turn up the heat you need a fire extinguisher to put him out!

"I think that's what is so impressive about him. He's a great darts player, yep, we all know that. But it's the pressure that he copes with so amazingly and that's what makes him so dangerous. He's red-hot on stage but handles it so cool. He's a great kid and will take some stopping for years to come."

Cross added: “My only job right now is to