DARTS star Michael Smith has opened up about his recent injury issues, revealing he once played with a broken hand. Bully Boy was knocked out of the World Championship last month following a shock defeat to Kevin Doets in the second round. He subsequently lost his spot in the Premier League Darts line-up after falling down the PDC Order of Merit. Amid his ongoing woes at the oche, Smith has opened up about the various injury problems that have plagued him recently.

In a statement on social media, he wrote: "Feels like this needed to be said as I'm annoyed seeing I'm finished or what's happening it's this or that. "The last six weeks I've had grade two AC [acromioclavicular] shoulder injury and seeking physio every two-three days to help that but for three-four years I've been fighting something else. "I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it's catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand.

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

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. "I see the specialist Monday and when I know you will know what will happen over the next month or so. "I’ll never let anything beat me and I promise I’ll be back very VERY quickly. To all my fans. BullyBoy.". Smith was knocked out of the World Masters on Thursday following a first round defeat to Danny Noppert. Night 1 - The SSE Arena, Belfast - Thursday February 6.

Night 2 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow - Thursday February 13. Night 3 - 3Arena, Dublin - Thursday February 20. Night 4 - Westpoint Exeter - Thursday February 27. Night 5 - The Brighton Centre - Thursday March 6. Night 6 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham - Thursday March 13. Night 7 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Thursday March 20. Night 8 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle - Thursday March 27. Night 9 - Uber Arena, Berlin - Thursday April 3.

Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10. Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17. Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24. Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1. Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8. Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15. Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22. Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29.