The Nuke knows he has price on head

REALITY SETS IN AS LITTLER PREPARES FOR ONSLAUGHT

- Mike Walters

LUKE LITTLER begins the defence of his Premier League title in Belfast next month admitting there will be a target on his back.

As the eight-man cast for this year's Thursday night travelling circus was unveiled with former world champions Michael Smith and Peter Wright dropped new world champion Littler conceded he was a marked man.

Luke the Nuke fears there will be more first-night nerves like his close shave against barber Ryan Meikle at the first hurdle of his World Championship triumph.

Littler, 17, hit a nine-darter in the Premier League final against Luke Humphries last year as he lifted his first TV major title at London's 02 Arena.