Michael van Gerwen fires clear warning to Luke Littler with World Darts Championship looming

Michael van Gerwen has sent a clear warning to his main rivals in darts - including Luke Littler - as the countdown to the PDC World Championship continues.

Van Gerwen, Littler and reigning champion Luke Humphries are tipped to have a major say when the big one returns to the Alexandra Palace this winter. A staple of the Christmas sporting calendar, the PDC showcase will be upon tungsten-lovers sooner than they can imagine. Littler famously went all the way to the final on debut last winter.

The 17-year-old darts sensation burst on to the scene at the Ally Pally and his meteoric rise has continued this year. Littler was crowned 2024 Premier League champion - his biggest title to date - and has already won four TV events over the last 12 months to see his professional career prize money balloon to near the £700,000-mark.

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Van Gerwen knows all about trophies and such winnings. In a warning to Littler at the oche, meanwhile, the Dutch darting marvel is seemingly edging back to his best after a lean spell, by his standards, over the last couple of years.

In the absence of Littler in Budapest this weekend, the 35-year-old reigned supreme at the Hungarian Darts Trophy after beating compatriot Gian van Veen in tense showpiece. Van Gerwen won 8-7 after a decider.

Addressing that victory, van Gerwen said: "I was struggling in the final and Gian took advantage, but I was more battling with myself. The crowd gave me so much energy and, to give them something back, I'm over the moon."

The three-time world champion, from 2014, 2017 and 2019, added: "I think I'm on the right way, especially with