Brendan Dolan is determined to put friendships to one side as he prepares to face Tyrone colleague Mickey Mansell in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championships. Mansell is expected to ease past Xiaochen Zong in the first round, with 28th seeded Dolan waiting to play the winner on the main stage at the Alexandra Palace venue on Friday December 22.

The Belcoo thrower admits that it will be a difficult challenge facing his pal in his opening match at the £2.5 million event.

“It is going to be a tough game playing a close mate on the big stage,” he acknowledged. “It probably affects the focus more than anything. You are maybe not as hungry to hammer him, because at the end of the day he is a mate, but you have to really think that it is your livelihood and we will both be looking to get a step further. We will act professionally when we get up on stage and go at it hammer and tongs. Hopefully it swings my way, but if I have to lose to someone it would be no harm to lose to Mickey.

“Mickey has played really well this year, he just seems to have had a bit of bad luck here and there, and losing out in tight games. We have played a few times on the tour over the years. I know Mickey has beaten me, but I have also beaten him, and it will be whoever does the right things on the day, and in the key moments, who will come out with the victory.”

Dolan will be favourite to win the contest against Mansell, who is ranked 36 places below him, but he admits he has not always performed at the top of his game this season.

“My form has been a mixed bag this year,” he conceded. “I have had good performances followed by poor ones. I’ve beaten players I wasn’t maybe expected to beat, and then lost to players I should be beating. I have been a bit inconsistent, but I would be hoping for a good run at the Worlds.”

To ensure he is in the best possible form for the season finale, Dolan is stepping up his practice schedule ahead of the tournament.

“From now on I will be looking to do four or five hours every day,” he revealed. “Most of the year I try to do three or four hours, so I will try to put in the extra bit of effort. In the World Championships the games are a good bit longer than what we are used to playing, and it’s the stamina I am looking to build up. My concentration tends to drift at times, so I do feel my focus has been the one thing I need to get to last longer.”

Dolan has never won a televised title during his long career, but he feels a sustained run in the tournament this year is a possibility.

“You have to aim high,” he said. “You are in it to win it, but I suppose if I had a good run to the quarter final it would be a stepping stone for me to feel like I am back on track again.”