JOE CULLEN’S recent impressive form has seen him climb into the top 16 of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world rankings - but he insists there is plenty more to come as he enters the business end of the year.

The 29-year-old Wyke-based star is now starting to realise his full potential after almost 10 years as a professional.

He said: “I am hoping for a strong end to the year. I still have hopes of having a good run at all remaining majors - especially the World Championships that start in December.”

If the player dubbed “The Rockstar” keeps up his current form, he will be in with a shout of being included in next year’s invitation events - The Premier League and The World Series events - which would see him compete with the sport’s top players on a more regular basis in front of the television cameras.

“The Premier League and World Series events are what it is all about. I want to be up on that big stage mixing it with the big boys more often. I believe I am at that level now but I just need to get the chance to prove it.”

Cullen recently confirmed he will be playing in this year’s Bradford Darts Masters, which is to be held at Richard Dunn Sports Centre on Thursday, October 18.

“I am really looking forward to this one and I’m grateful that (event organiser) Mick Speight has invited me.

"I can’t wait to put a show on for the Bradford crowd. I’ve worked with Mick once before at the Keighley Darts Masters in April earlier this year - and he knows how to run an event.”

Cullen will face stiff competition as he bids to lift the trophy in his home town. Sixteen-time world champion Phil “The Power” Taylor will start as favourite, with two-time world champion Gary Anderson also looking to take the silverware home.

The event could be a chance for Cullen to earn revenge against Anderson, who beat him 19-17 in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay in Blackpool last month.

Having promptly despatched Welshman Gerwyn Price 10-3 in the first round, Cullen then hammered Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney 11-3 to set up the mouth-watering last-eight clash with Anderson.

It proved to be a classic as Cullen came within a whisker of victory, missing two match darts to knock out Anderson out who eventually just got over the line.

The world star had to be at his best to prevail and he even hit a nine-dart finish in the early stages of the game. Cullen matched the Scot in the scoring and finishing stakes but couldn’t quite finish the job as Anderson went on to win the whole event a few days later.

Nevertheless, Cullen’s stock rose highly because of the manner of his performances in Blackpool.

He said: “It was a great game against Gary and I was gutted to lose but that’s darts. Gary got over the line and I didn’t. I will learn a lot from this.”

Cullen had the consolation of earning himself £17,500 as his efforts saw him jump into the world’s top 16 for the first time.

Looking ahead to October's event in Bradford, organiser Speight, of MJK Sports, said: “Getting Joe’s signature for this one is a real coup for us. He’s one of the game’s rising stars and he’s magic on that stage.

“It’s good to have Gary and Phil back again after last year. Phil beat Gary 16-13 last year in a head-to-head but this year we have had to expand the event due to demand, so we also have former world youth champion and recent World Series event winner Michael “Bully Boy” Smith, rising star Chris “Hollywood” Dobey, and Ian “Diamond” White competing in the star-studded event.

"Two wildcards will make up the field and we will have a straight knock-out event."

Tickets, sponsorship and VIP packages are still available for the Bradford Darts Masters. For more information please email info@mjksportsevents.co.uk or call Mick Speight on 07414 960956.