PHIL TAYLOR expects to be a “different” darts player after he has undergone a hip op this summer.
The Power, 62, is not one for complete retirement and plans to play more tournaments on the expanding World Seniors Tour.
It is five years since the 16-time world darts champion quit the professional PDC circuit following defeat to Rob Cross in the Ally Pally final.
But in three months’ time, Taylor will be laid up at home for several weeks after going under the knife to have an artificial hip.
Taylor, who last year had lens replacement for his eyes, said: “The World Seniors Tour has given me something to look forward to.
“It’s something to get up in the morning and practise for.
“Now we know it is a secured Tour, we have two years at least and I can practise for it now. I can do it properly.
“I do practise every day but there is something not right at the minute.
“I have had problems with my health. I have arthritis in my hip, so I am having a new one.
“But that is not making any excuses. I can still play darts. I just have to work harder at it now.
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“I’m having a new hip in July as I have a couple of months spare. So I can recuperate and get ready. It will be a different me.
“When your hips go, you end up with back ache, you cannot stand properly, you cannot walk properly.
“So I’m really looking forward to this. I have had an injection which means I am pain-free for at least a couple of months anyway and then I can get it done.”
