MICHAEL SMITH has admitted being left out of the upcoming Premier League Darts was a big “kick up the backside”.

The former world champion, 34, has endured a difficult time with both form and injuries in recent months.

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Michael Smith has opened up about his health battles[/caption]

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The 2023 world champion has been struggling with arthritis in his right wrist[/caption]

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Smith was overlooked for the upcoming Premier League of Darts[/caption]

Bully Boy crashed out of the World Championship at the second round stage in December, his worst performance at the event since 2021.

He flopped again in last week’s Darts Masters, losing in the first round to Danny Noppert.

Smith, who ruled the world just two years, has been left out of the lucrative Premier League Darts lineup.

And he is using that snub as a catalyst to reset his career – and get back on the major hunt.

Smith told Sky Sports: “The biggest thing now is obviously being left out of the Premier League.

“That was the kick up the backside I needed. Especially after winning the worlds and then not doing what [2024 champion] Luke Humphries did – just going and keeping winning.

“I kind of took time away. I just wanted to enjoy myself as a world champion.

“And I think that has been my hindrance. Being left out the Premier League, it’s time to work hard again.”

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Following his 3-1 defeat to Noppert, Smith took to social media to reveal he was suffering from the lingering effects of arthritis.

He continued: “I’ve had it for a few years now. It was always when it was winter so I thought it was just the cold affecting it.

“But it just keeps getting worse and worse.

“My wrist will start swelling up and the constant pain where I can’t bend it so it is getting a bit difficult.”

Despite the pain, Bully Boy is determined to keep playing – even if it goes against doctors’ advice.

He is undergoing an MRI scan on Thursday, with the problem stemming from when he broke both wrists as a 19-year-old.

Smith added: “I’ll be in Wigan on Monday and Tuesday [for the Players Championship].

“If the specialist says I can’t, then obviously I can’t.

“But then again I’ll probably say no to him and end up playing. I love to play darts, pain or not.”

Premier League Darts 2025 begins on February 6 in Belfast and will run for 16 weeks.

World champion Luke Littler is looking to defend the crown he won last year.

The rest of the lineup consists of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey.

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IF you’re in the market for a cheap and cheerful Valentine’s gift, Home Bargains has just the thing.

Shoppers can now pick up a Yankee Candle dupe for a fraction of the price.

Home Bargains

Home Bargains are currently selling a Yankee Candle dupe for just £2.99[/caption]

Yankee Candle

Yankee Candle’s Clean Cotton buy currently retails for £21.99[/caption]

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, you can’t go wrong with this budget buy.

Home Bargains customers can now a refreshing high-end scent to their space without breaking the bank.

And this candle dupe will also make the ideal gift this Valentine’s Day.

The Wickford & Co Candle is available from Home Bargains for just £2.99.

According to manufacturers, the candle is “scented to perfection” making it “bold and bountiful for large rooms.”

The refreshing Clean Linen scent is said to “set the aura” of your home decor.

Wickford & Co explained that the candle gives off the “fresh scent of crisp, clean linen drying in a warm summer breeze.”

The candle is a close dupe of Yankee Candle’s Clean Cotton item, which retails for £21.99.

Currently reduced from £29.99, the high quality candle is described as “sun dried cotton combined with green notes, white flowers, and a hint of lemon.”

The fragrance notes include ozone, leafy greens, bergamot lily of the valley, rose vetiver, cedar, musk, as well as woody notes.

Wickford & Co’s 18-ounce candle is also similar in design to the Yankee Candle buy.

According to the high-end brand, the “traditional design of this signature jar candle reflects a warm, relaxed sense of style that is always at home.”

Manufacturers described the candle as “convenient and easy to use.”

The large housewarmer jar is said to provide “hours of true to life fragrance enjoyment.”

Described as “the ideal gift for any occasion,” both the candle and its dupe are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Other budget-friendly Valentine’s gifts are also available from Lidl’s middle aisle.

Lidl shoppers can even pick up a box of chocolates for just £5 this February 14.

And if your plans involve a night in with the girls, M&S are currently offering the perfect Galentine’s buy.

You can also dress for the occasion with a Valentine’s jumper from Asda.

And even Collin the Caterpillar has found someone to spend the romantic day with.

LENY YORO had revealed that Manchester United are using a WhatsApp group chat to try and improve their leaky defence.

United have come under criticism in recent weeks after conceding in 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches.

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Leny Yoro has revealed that Man Utd’s defenders use a WhatsApp group to prepare for matches[/caption]

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Ruben Amorim’s side have conceded in 10 of their last 11 Premier League games[/caption]

The Red Devils spent heavily in the summer to try and improve their back line, splashing £52m on teenage centre-half Leny Yoro.

Yoro, 19, has since struggled with injuries but is now cementing himself as a regular starter in Ruben Amorim‘s back three system.

The former Lille defender has revealed that in a bid to improve his own defending, and that of the United back line as a whole, Amorim has set up a WhatsApp group chat that gives his defenders insight on their opponents.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways, Yoro said: “[Education] It’s important. We have a group on WhatsApp.

“With all the defenders, they send clips of the strikers, their movements, their runs.

“And outside of that. I have one person who’s doing really a lot of clips on the striker for me to know.

“I had already someone in Lille, so I keep working with him. [I am] especially looking where to run, for example if the defender has the ball, for a long pass.

“Or for a cross with the first or second ball, everything is really important”.

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Amorim has added more defensive reinforcements in the January window as he looks to tinker with his current back line.

Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu arrived at Old Trafford for around £25m on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

While 18-year-old centre-back prospect Ayden Heaven was snatched away from Arsenal too.

However, nothing is coming easy in Manchester this season with Amorim set to lose one of his star defenders at the same time.

Lisandro Martinez was stretchered off with a suspected ACL injury during United’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Amorim has plenty more work to do with the defeat to Palace the SEVENTH Premier League home defeat of the season for United – from just 13 matches.

That is their joint-worst record at this stage of the season in their entire history.

In 1893-94, when still called Newton Heath, they went on to lose eight of their 15 home league games.

And, crucially, the club finished bottom of the First Division and were relegated.

Then in 1973-74, United went down again – with seven home league losses.

Now Ruben Amorim will be desperate for history not to repeat itself as the problems mount up at Old Trafford.

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United signed both Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in the winter window to help improve their back line[/caption]

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Star defender Lisandro Martinez is expected to be out for a while after picking up an injury on Sunday against Crystal Palace[/caption]

THERE are loads of different styles you can go for when it comes to getting a manicure.

From sleek and pointed stiletto nails to short and sweet, but one woman has left beauty fans stunned after she showed off her unique choice.

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The woman showed off her fresh manicure on Facebook, leaving people stunned[/caption]

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The nails were slammed by fellow beauty fans on social media[/caption]

Posting on Facebook, the anonymous woman shared her ‘duck nails’, and people have slammed them as ‘quacked up’.

Unlike most nail shapes which either taper in at the end or remain straight, duck nails flare out for a very unique look.

The nail shape was popularised in the early 2000s by MTV Jersey Shore star, Snooki, but has since taken a back seat in most salons.

But the beauty fan proudly showed off her fresh set on social media and said: “Ducked ’til I die.”

Her post then found its way to a Facebook page dedicated to unusual manicures, where people criticised not just the duck shape but also the design of the nails.

The matte nails have a French tips design, but instead of the smooth finish most manicures have, each nail had a bumpy texture.

“The shape is the last thing we should worry about,” one person slammed.

“Looks like she painted plasters and stuck them on,” a second said.

A third agreed: “I used to use notebook paper and Elmer’s glue to make long nails when I was a kid. This looks exactly like that.”

And someone else thought the manicure looked like a bad DIY project, they said: “This looks like it was done with craft sand and roll on white out strips.”

Meanwhile, someone else commented on the post: “Did she make sure to touch EVERY surface in her house before she popped her hands under the UV lamp to dry?

“Going for the crumbled paper look… very high fashion don’t you know.”

And someone else said: “Does this looking she picked off the walls and stuck it on her fingers?”

NAIL FAIL

Previously, manicurist Megan Turner revealed the nail trends that will make you look cheap and how to avoid them.

NAIL STICKERS 

They were a huge trend during the pandemic when booking an appointment with your manicurist was near impossible, even when lockdown was lifted. 

But, now there’s no excuse for the cheap, plastic sheets. 

Not only are they bad for the planet but they peel off within days, leaving your nails looking patchy and unfinished. 

If you don’t have a steady enough hand to draw your design, try using dried flowers instead and setting them under a clear polish – it’s perfect for the cottage core trend! 

THICK ACRYLICS 

This is probably the biggest no-no when it comes to neat, stylish-looking nails. 

Even if you’re building length, there’s no excuse for thick acrylics. They make everyday tasks difficult and look cheap. 

Any good professional wouldn’t let you leave their chair with chunky extensions.

Instead, find a manicurist who does gel extensions, they’re more customisable and give a much more natural and stylish finish. Plus, they’re much healthier for the nail too. 

AIRBRUSH 

Thankfully, finding a salon that actually has an airbrush gun isn’t easy, and it should stay that way. 

Using an airbrush generally requires a stencil, meaning there’s little skill involved and anyone can have the exact same design. 

If you want something truly unique, you need to go for a hand-painted finish. 

Most nail salons now have nail art specialists, and the quality of their work is far better than any stencil can offer. 

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