MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is set to return to action on Thursday when the Betway Premier League visits Glasgow.

The world number one missed out on the fifth night of action in Exeter last week due to a back injury, which also forced him out of the Coral UK Open finals based on medical advice – meaning he was unable to defend the title, which he had held for the previous two years.

Van Gerwen admitted his disappointment in missing the Minehead tournament but praised new champion Peter Wright on his maiden major title.

“I was gutted to miss out on both of the Premier League night and the UK Open finals but it is just one of those things,” said the Dutch star, who intends to return to the oche to face Kim Huybrechts on Thursday.

“It’s just a minor back injury. The kind of thing that can happen to anyone but something you have to be careful with.

“My heart said to go and play because I love playing and winning but my head listened to the advice from medical experts, who said it would be better not to travel.

“It’s feeling better each day and right now the plan is to play on Thursday in the Premier League and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I also want to say congratulations to Peter Wright on winning his first big TV title. I think he deserved one but I told him not to get used to it.”

Van Gerwen’s Premier League fixture with James Wade, which had been scheduled for last Thursday, will now take place in Manchester on March 23, when MVG will play twice.