Lloyd is a former World number one

Colin Lloyd says he is not bothered about having a tough first round match at the UK Open Darts, which begins in Bolton on Thursday.

The Essex-based player meets Dutchman Jelle Klaasen, who is seeded 57th, in the first round at the Reebok Stadium.

Lloyd told BBC Essex: "You've got to beat everyone they put in front of you, and I know what to expect from Jelle."

The second round is also played on Thursday with the winner of the match meeting Steve Hine or Arron Monk.

The first and second rounds are decided over just seven legs, which Lloyd, the world number 13, is disappointed about.

"As a top player I spend thousands of pounds going to these UK Open qualifiers, I played in all eight, and I played best of eleven (legs).

"It seems strange than when you come to the real nitty-gritty part of it, you go to best of seven."

There will be 172 players vying for the title in Bolton, but the top 32 in the current order of merit - including defending champion Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Gary Anderson - will not join the competition until round three.

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