Michael Smith's recent slump suffered a new low on Wednesday as he failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time in 12 years. Bully Boy has become a staple of the tournament, the second biggest on the PDC calendar behind the World Darts Championship, but will not be involved this year.

The former world No. 1 needed to reach the semi-finals of the Player Championship 21 in Leicester on Wednesday to book his ticket to Winter Gardens. However, Smith suffered a 6-4 defeat to Thibault Tricole in the first round, confirming he has not met the threshold to compete in Blackpool later this month.

The World Matchplay is made up of the top 16 players in the PDC Order of Merit and the highest-rated next 16 stars in the 12-month PDC ProTour Order of Merit.

It will run from July 19 to July 27, with the winner set to receive a £200,000 chunk of the £800,000 prize pot.

Luke Humphries lifted his maiden World Matchplay title last year and will be vying to retain his crown when the tournament returns to the seaside hotspot.

Martin Schindler sat at the ProTour Order of Merit summit ahead of Wednesday's Players Championship 21 in Leicester.

Alongside the German, Mike De Decker, Ryan Searle, Gian van Veen, and World Cup winner Josh Rock are among the players who should make the World Matchplay grade.

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Smith has descended below the top 20 in the PDC Order of Merit over the course of a two-year decline since he was crowned world champion in 2023.

The 34-year-old recently revealed that he was battling arthritis in his right hand after breaking both wrists as a teenager.

He has also attributed a separate shoulder injury to his prolonged downturn in form, claiming he is working with a physio every few days.

"This isn't sympathy or a cry for help. This is letting you all in on it. I've never given up or stopped from any pain," Smith wrote on Instagram.

"Feels like this needed to be said, as I'm annoyed seeing I'm finished, or what's happening it's this or that.

He added: "I played a world final with a broken hand. I made a UK Open final with a hole in my groin. I've won Pro Tours and Euros with problems with my ankle.

"What this statement means is this is me opening up and letting you all know. I didn't say earlier as I was scared of losing the Prem or losing World Series, but I wasn't picked anyway, so why not now?

"I'll never let anything beat me, and I promise I'll be back very VERY quickly. To all my fans. BullyBoy."