What Michael Smith needs to qualify for the World Matchplay as hope dwindles

Michael Smith lost out early to Kim Huybrechts at Players Championship 20 in pursuit of a World Matchplay spot at the end of the cut off on Wednesday. But he needs a near impossible task at Players Championship 21 to qualify as it seems no-one wants to overtake Ryan Joyce.

Smith needs at least a semi-final on Wednesday to seal the 16th and final spot making it a near impossible feat for a player who only a few years ago was World Champion and has not missed this event in nearly 15 years.

Amid issues with injury and the rigours of being World Champion, Smith has plummeted down the ranking and no longer being in that top 16 means that especially with the advent of the European Tour protection for the top names he has lost extra chances.

He also has not played Premier League or World Series this year and so needs to start gaining form in the ProTour tournaments which he hasn't done this year albeit through issues with injury that have plagued him.

Ryan Joyce currently sits in the 16th and final spot with £71,750 but him, Raymond van Barneveld and Joe Cullen potentially started the week ready to be caught. Only for those below to not leave the first round.

Krzysztof Ratajski, Ritchie Edhouse, Niels Zonneveld, Martin Lukeman and William O'Connor all lost in the first round like Smith yesterday so it is very likely that 'Relentless' will get away with it.

Only really Kevin Doets who reached the second round and Madars Razma who reached the fourth round added anything but they sit in 23rd and 27th and with the amount on offer on Wednesday compared to how much they need, time is running out.

Can Smith muster up one final run to hoist himself into contention or will it be a Winter Gardens without the former World Champion?