GR-EIGHT NEWS FOR BUNTING AS HE MAKES CUT

STEPHEN BUNTING was the surprise wild card for this year's Premier League season after being picked alongside Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.

- BY RICHARD LEWIS

The quartet join the four automatic picks from the order of merit - the new double world champion Luke Littler, defending champion Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen.

It means both Van Veen, who lost 7-1 to Littler in Saturday's World Championship final, and Northern Ireland's World Cup winner Rock will make their debuts in the competition.

Bunting has endured a below-par season and was knocked out of the World Championship by James Hurrell in the third round.

He lost his first eight games in the Premier League last season - but has been handed another shot.