STEPHEN Bunting makes a challenger appearance at Thursday's Unibet Premier League Night Six at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

He will play Rob Cross, who took victory when the pair met in the UK Open on Saturday, continuing his recent return to form after first-game exits at the World Championship and The Masters.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Bunting, who previously competed in the Premier League in 2015. "I'm proud to be associated with the Premier League again.

"Playing in Liverpool is a massive achievement in itself, and to be back in the Premier League shows how well my form's picked up over the last couple of years.

"This last year-and-a-half I've really stepped it up again. I'm putting the hours in, I'm loving the game again and I'm reaping the rewards and playing some of the best darts I've ever played."

Fellow St Helens darter Michael Smith also gets the chance to star in his most local arena this week, opening the event against Peter Wright as he bids to continue his strong recent form.

Smith hit a nine-darter against Gurney a fortnight ago in Dublin before seeing off Michael van Gerwen in Exeter, and the 2018 finalist has now won three successive games in a fine run.

"It's the happiest I've been playing darts," he admitted. "There's no pressure on me - I'm there to do a job and hopefully I can keep winning.

"I want to be competing in the Premier League all season so I want to make sure I get past the cut-off and then focus on the top four."

Tickets for the Unibet Premier League's visit to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool are still available through mandsbankarena.com or by calling 0344 8000 400.

2020 Unibet Premier League

Night Six, Thursday March 23

M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Michael Smith v Peter Wright

Daryl Gurney v Glen Durrant

Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen

Rob Cross v Stephen Bunting

Gary Anderson v Nathan Aspinall

Tickets: mandsbankarena.com or 0344 8000 400.