TEN-time world darts champion Phil Taylor is set to share Wanderers' back room staff in a bid to win back his PDC crown.

'The Power' was at the Reebok Stadium , along with current world champ John Part, to give Sam Allardyce some pointers ahead of the Bolton supremo's darting debut.

Amateur Allardyce needed all the help he could get before taking on Peter Castle in the first round of the UK Open Regional Final in Manchester on Saturday.

But he took time out from his preparation at the oche to offer Taylor the use of Wanderers' resident psychologist Mike Forde to help win back the title he lost to Part early this year.

"I think he'd be on overtime with me," joked Taylor.

"But I think I might take him up on that.

"You're never too old to learn and take on new ideas."

Allardyce's first foray into darts' top flight is aimed at promoting the UK Open Finals, which take place at the Reebok from May 30 to June 1.

No-one expects 'The Dark Dudley Destroyer' to make it past the first round of qualifiers but Taylor refused to count him out.

"Who knows? I don't think he'll get very far and if he gets through the first round then I'll be surprised," he said.

"But you never know. It's all a bit of fun for him now but as soon as the time comes he will start feeling the nerves and his competitive nature will come out.

"The pressure is totally different to football management because you're on your own. You haven't got 11 players to play for you. You've got to do it yourself.

"He's just got to enjoy himself, have a good crack and maybe have a stiff drink before the game to settle his nerves."

But a modest Allardyce remained realistic.

"If I could get relatively close to my opponent, maybe getting my score down to 100 before he finishes, then I'll be relatively happy with that," he said.

"But I feel ready. I've had some great tuition from Phil Taylor and John Part and now I can't wait to get up there and throw those arrows."