Darts ace believes he has finally found his form again.
John Henderson believes he has found the fighting spirit of the Highlands again.
The player saw his career fall into a slump last year when injury disrupted his progress.
He admits a series of poor results dented his confidence and left him wondering about his future in the sport.
But the man they call “The Highlander” has roared back to form in recent weeks and is already looking forward to the PDC World Championships at the end of the year.
He believes a fellow professional moving closer to his home in Huntly has been a big help.
“Although I got over the hand injury quite quickly, it was a little while before I was throwing pain free and that didn’t help my game,” he said.
“There was a spell where I couldn’t buy a win and my confidence was at an all-time low.
“But I’ve taken some decent scalps over the last couple of months and feel things are starting to fall back into place again.
“I’ve started practising with a fellow professional and I’m feeling the benefit of that.
“Keith Stephen got his tour card last year and needs to finish in the top 64 to keep it.
“He’s now living about 10 miles up the road from me, so I nip over regularly and we have a game.
“We’re pushing one another along and both gaining from the practice.
“Some players like to practise on their own, but I don’t think you can beat having that competitive edge.”
His resurgence has seen John begin to climb back up the rankings he’s currently back up to 36 in the world.
He says: “I reached the last 16 at the UK Open last month, having never got past the third round before. Then I went to Gibraltar Trophy, where I beat Mervyn King and Justin Pipe.
“Not reaching the World Championship last year was a real kick up the backside, but hopefully the results now I’m getting means I can make it this time.
“This time last year I was going 4-2 down in a match and just accepting I was beaten.
“That’s no longer the case. I’ve regained my fighting spirit and that’s making a huge difference.”
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