Littler has a target on his back as he gets set to defend his title at Alexandra Palace.

Luke Littler says his World Darts Championship title defence will not be derailed by opponents trying to get inside his head.

The 18-year-old is heading back to defend his crown at Alexandra Palace, where he became the youngest ever winner in January.

Since then he has gone on to dominate the sport, usurping Luke Humphries as world number one in a stunning year which has seen him win the UK Open, World Matchplay, Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship.

Some players have tried resorting to ‘dark arts’ in a bid to stop his dominance.

Poland’s Ricardo Pietreczko recently told Littler he did not expect to get more than one leg in their match at the Players Championship when the match

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