MICHAEL SMITH has revealed swollen ankles have left him unable to walk properly for “four or five days straight”.
Bully Boy, 35, says ongoing injury problems have forced him to withdraw from this weekend’s International Darts Open in Riesa so he can finally undergo cortisone injections.
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Michael Smith has been forced to pull out of the International Darts Open Credit: Alamy
The world No31 has been struggling to walk properly Credit: Getty
The former world champion, who has a long history of arthritis and injury troubles, admitted he is “gutted” to miss the tournament after another frustrating week on the oche.
The St Helens thrower failed to qualify for both the Slovakian Darts Open and the European Darts Open on Wednesday.
Smith also suffered first round exits in both Players Championship 17 and 18 during the recent ProTour double header.
He wrote on social media: “Since I played pro tours in Milton Keynes and made the final my ankles haven’t been in a great place with constant swelling and being unable to walk for four/five days straight.
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“Then after spending nine days in Germany, three flights and 13 hours on a train the problems have arisen again and to top it off an eye infection thrown in.
“So having cancelled my appointments twice for my cortisone injections I’ve decided I can’t cancel a third time as it really needs sorting.
“So I’m gutted to be saying I won’t be playing in Riesa this weekend so I can get to my appointment Friday and hopefully sort it out.”
The world No31 has shown flashes of his old brilliance this season, reaching the final of Players Championship 11 and making two Euro Tour quarter-finals.
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But Smith has struggled to make a major impact on the big stage, with his run to the fifth round of the UK Open remaining his best televised result of the campaign.
He suffered a narrow defeat to Alexander Merkx at Players Championship 18 earlier this week.
