'Mile High' looks to fly up the rankings

Rugeley's Mark 'Mile High' Hylton is planning to use the PDC World Championships as a springboard to fly further up the world rankings.

Hylton has climbed from 34th to 32nd in the PDC Order of Merit ahead of his first round clash against Dutchman Vincent van der Voort tonight.

The former airline cabin crew manager was 91st going into last year's World Championships but a run to the last 16 saw him shoot up to 55th.

Reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Open and World Matchplay built on that progress, from a player who only turned pro at the start of last year.

The 45-year-old could even lose tonight and still crack the top 32 of the PDC Order of Merit, but is keen for his stock to continue to rise.

He said: "There's a high chance of that, it's 90 per cent that I will be in the top 32 at the New Year, win or lose tonight.

"But I am looking to get as far as I can and, if I can get to the second round, chances are I will be looking at 3oth or 29th.

"If I can get to the last 16, it could be even higher, but I am not entertaining that until the tournament is finished."

Hylton will be looking to put the brakes on 'the Fastest Player in the World' tonight and take the scalp of the world number 16.

The erractic 'machine gun' throws of van der Voort have led to mixed results but Hylton is determined to play at his pace.

He said: "It should be a good game and I am very confident, I am ready for anything he can chuck at me and there will be chances to capitialise.

"He 's such a fast thrower and it looks great when they are flying in the trebles but, at that speed, there's going to be the odd loose dart.

"It's tactics, you can be tempted to throw a bit faster to compete with him but I have got to throw at my pace, then change when it suits.

"Even if we both play our best darts, I still believe I will come through."