IN the past fortnight, people have stopped Stuart Kellett to ask about another darts player.

Not just any thrower, mind.

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, world number one and defending champion, will be his opponent if they both progress to the second round of the PDC world championships, which start this week.

For the Northwich ace, the ‘if’ bit matters most.

“Everybody has been mentioning it – it’s MvG isn’t it?” he says wryly while sipping an orange juice at  a pub close to his home, on Thursday.

“They say I’ve got no chance as well, which is nice!

“But my objective is to win that first match.

“If I do, then I can enjoy myself if I end up meeting him.

“On paper, I’d have to be at my very best and perhaps for him to be off his best game. 

“I’m realistic, but I’ve beaten him before so I know I can do it.” 

Understandably, the 33-year-old is reluctant to look too far ahead.

On two previous visits to Alexandra Palace, he has bowed out without winning a set against Vincent van der Voort and then Paul Nicholson last year.

Both times he was unseeded.

He expected the same this time after slipping to 33 in the rankings – the top 32 are seeded for the first-round draw – only to be promoted following Richie Burnett’s surprise withdrawal hours before the draw.

His reward is to face one of two debutants, either Finn Kim Viljanen or Sascha Stein from Germany, on Friday.

Kellett said: “Maybe that’s the break I need to be third time lucky.

“I’ve not won at Ally Pally before, and this is my best chance yet.

“I’ve heard of the Finnish lad, but not the German fella – I might recognise him if I saw a picture.

“Perhaps there’s more pressure on me as I’ll be favourite. 

“I don’t mind that. If I play how I know I can, I should be ok.”

Viljanen takes on Stein earlier on Friday evening, so Kellett plans to keep at least one eye on a television in the practice room.

He added: “I think it’s always reassuring to at least know a bit about who you’re playing.

“I’ll chill out watching them play each other. They’ll be nervous, and it’s only first to seven legs.

“In previous years, those who have got through the preliminary round tend to play better when they get back on the stage again as they’re more relaxed.”

Kellett, a full-time web designer, believes that know-how counts.

He proved as much against Nicholson a year ago, producing his best on-screen performance since switching to the PDC in 2012 – and his highest television average – despite going out.

“If I can reproduce that form, I’ll be happy,” he added.

“Practice is going well, and I’m more confident than I have been for a while.

“I’ve been on the board for a couple of hours every night after work, and things are coming together.

“It’s been a frustrating year; I’ve played in fits and starts.

“At times, it’s been a real test because you try harder to get a win that gives you momentum again.”

Kellett’s best run in a PDC tournament during 2014 has been to the quarter finals of a Players’ Championship at Coventry in June.

His conqueror in the last eight? Van Gerwen.

“He was a monster that day,” rued Kellett.

“The standard is crazy now, but I tend to do well against the better players.

“You have to admire the way they play consistent darts week in, week out. That’s what I’m striving for, and it’s not easy!”

STUART Kellett is scheduled to play his first round match on Friday, at 11pm, live on SKY Sports.