PHIL TAYLOR admits that he may not immediately bounce back to form at the Blue Square UK Open.

“The Power” lost his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts title last week, having won the play-offs in the tournament’s first four years only to lose to Mervyn King in the semi-finals at Wembley Arena.

While Taylor, pictured, had peaked at a televised-record 116 average during the league phase of the Premier League, he slumped to a 10-6 loss against King. He is hoping to respond by winning in Bolton, which runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Reebok Stadium — although he is not expecting an immediate return to top form.

“You can’t always be in good form and it’s difficult,” Taylor admitted. “I was practising well before I played Mervyn but I didn’t seem to hit form.

“It was bugging me because I knew if I could have kicked a little bit then I’d have got him, because he wasn’t playing as well as he can.

“But it’s one of those things, it’s not the end of the world although it’s gutting when you get beaten. Sometimes you can’t always put it right within a week or two and it might take five or six weeks. All I can do is get back on the practice board, rest and prepare for Bolton.”

Alongside the Premier League, Taylor has also competed in 11 events on the PDC Pro Tour this year, winning 10, and also claimed victory in January’s Players Championship Finals. But he added: “This has been the toughest year I’ve ever played. I was away from Wednesday to Monday nearly every week during the Premier League and maybe I did too much.

“I was winning the tournaments but it took its toll on me. Next year I’ll sit back and plan it out — but I’m greedy, and if there’s money to be won I chase it.

“I might not do as many as I used to do — I’m 49 this year and you think you can do what you did when you were 20 — but I’ve got to make sure that my form is right for the events that count.”

Taylor has twice won the UK Open, in 2003 and 2005, but has been a quarter-final loser to Raymond van Barneveld for the past three years.

He has also hit four nine-dart finishes in the tournament, and said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if I hit a fifth. I love the Reebok Stadium, it’s a great venue and seems to bring the best out of me and a lot of other players. I’m looking forward to the UK Open — it’s exciting and anything can happen.”

Tickets are still available for the Blue Square UK Open, with prices starting at £10 via 0844 871 2932, or in person at the Reebok Stadium Box Office.