Michael Smith is being treated by the physio of Erling Haaland and his superstar Manchester City team-mates as he battles against injury.

The former world champion is back on the big stage on Friday night for the Ladbrokes UK Open. Smith has had his issues in recent times with arthritis on his throwing hand and a shoulder and back problem sustained when he crashed off a scooter. Bully Boy is in top hands for rehab as he said: “I’ve got Man City physio Ben Thompson working with me. My wife Dagmara met Ben at the Manchester Premier League a while back. It’s mad that he’ll come to me after doing Haaland’s legs or Foden’s and then be working on my back and shoulders!

“I’ve had cortisone injections in my wrist three weeks ago. My hand is fine at the minute. It was a bit sore on the joint. First of all I threw a dart and it missed the board at home and hit the mural which I’ve just painted in my games room, so that was fun. I’ve had the arthritis for years. The worst thing has been going to Minehead because it’s so cold there.

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“So many times I’ve said online that the cold affects me and everyone says it’s the same for all the players. It’s not really for me because it gets to my wrist. I’ve got one of the best hand specialists in the country with me, so it’s helping me. I’ve also got an issue with my right shoulder, that was my own fault.

“I’ve done the AC joint in my shoulder. I did that on Christmas Day. I bought the kids two scooters. I thought I’d race one of them. I went over what I thought was a puddle, it was actually a pothole. I’ve hit that at 22mph, straight over the handlebars and hit my shoulder into the floor. I couldn’t pick my arm up for seven weeks. I also had a big cut. Even now I’ve still got a bit of bone sticking out in my shoulder.

“Ben who works with me says it’s more common in rugby, it’s the joint between your collarbone and shoulder. It’s called the AC for short (Acromioclavicular). That’s moved and sticks out. I’m told that will never go away now.”

Despite the issues, Smith is battling on and continued: “Right now it’s fine. For the last week and a half I’ve been able to practice for four hours a day, which I’ve not been able to do for the last 12 weeks.

"The throw is the same, there’s not much I can change. It’s just up and down. Everything is the same, it’s just my head now. Now it’s down to my own confidence. The last four ProTours weren’t the greatest. But I’m still averaging 95 or 96, it’s just that winning line now. Just give me one win and I’ll be fine. I’ve been playing online a lot with the kids. It’s not the same as playing professionals, but I’m averaging a hundred, it’s coming back slowly.”

Smith has remained positive throughout the tough times and didn’t fear his career was over as he said: “I’ve never feared anything. The pain isn’t great but there’s nothing that strong painkillers can’t help me get through it. Obviously I was going to get arthritis after breaking my wrists as a kid.

"I’m not going to get into the Premier League stuff, so much has already been said online. I’ve kept quiet about it. The plan is to work harder this year. I’ve turned down almost every exhibition. The plan is to do 100 per cent PDC. I think I got left out of the Premier League in 2021. I made the World Final that year. It’s just the kick up the a*** I needed. I didn’t get picked, I’ve just got to work harder.”