Luke Humphries has made it clear he has no issue with Luke Littler 'taking some of the gloss away' from himself as the duo prepare to do battle in the Premier League on Thursday.
Littler was recently the centre of attention after reaching the final of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
The 17-year-old was unable to beat Humphries, however, with his countryman reigning supreme in London instead.
Littler did recently get revenge on the 28-year-old at the Dutch Masters, beating Humphries prior to his defeat to Michael van Gerwen in the final of the competition.
Darts news: Luke Humphries has made it clear he has no issue with the attention Luke Littler is receiving
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Humphries has now discussed his rival ahead of Thursday's blockbuster clash.
And the Newbury-born star has insisted he has no problem with Littler getting plenty of attention.
“Playing against Luke is not something I’m scared of, or that I’ll have to avoid, because I’ll have to play him many, many times over the next 20 years,” he said.
“I’m sure he won’t be nervous about facing me and all the other big players with the Premier League coming up.
“Of course I got the one that means the most to me by winning the World Championship, but that’s in the past now and we have to look to the future.
"I don’t feel like he’s taken any of the gloss away from my world title - he deserves all the plaudits he gets because he’s achieved something I don’t think we’ll ever see again.”
Darts star Gerwyn Price recently said he sympathises with Humphries because of everybody cheering on Littler.
Price said the 28-year-old didn't get the recognition he deserved following his triumph at the World Championship.
Yet Humphries is fine with how he's been portrayed in the media and has insisted he and other stars will look after Littler on the tour this year.
“My dream wasn’t for everybody to go crazy about me - it was to be world champion, and I’ve fulfilled that dream," he stated.
“A lot of people think it bothers me (that Littler gets all the attention) but it doesn’t.
"I’ve achieved the dream, and whatever comes with that, it doesn’t matter.
“Nothing will ever take that world title away from me, but Luke’s the star of the show at the moment and that’s just the way it is.
"It’s important that all of the players look after him and no one takes advantage of him or use him too much, because that will happen in life - people will want to use him because of his popularity and stature.
"But all the players will look after him and make sure none of that happens.
Darts news: Luke Humphries was emotional after beating Luke Littler earlier this month
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"He’s a great kid and he’s got a bright future - and so have I.”
Meanwhile, speaking to Sky Sports, Humphries also revealed he was going to manage his calendar carefully in order to avoid fatigue.
"You've just got to try and improve one or two per cent if you can every year and keep getting better, because the pack keep getting better behind you, so once you reach the top you don't ever want to leave it," he said.
"It's important for me to manage my calendar.
"I don't want to over exuberate and work too hard.
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"I feel like if if you're playing absolutely everything, then you'll burn yourself out and you won't be able to perform in the most important tournaments.
"So for me, I'll pick and choose in the best way."
