Nathan Aspinall has not competed on a PDC stage since losing to James Wade in the second round of the Betfred World Matchplay in July.
The Asp was set to return to the sport at the World Series of Darts Finals on September 13, but he pulled out with just a few day’s notice.
The 33-year-old has been replaced by Andrew Gilding and he’s disclosed the reason he’s still not ready to return to the sport.
Nathan Aspinall is still not fit to play
Aspinall revealed last-minute injections have scuppered his plans to return at the Amsterdam event, but he won’t be out for too much longer.
Speaking to Online Darts, the World Matchplay winner said: “Yeah, unfortunately, I was in to play, but half an hour before this call I got my results.
“I had all these tendon problems, I’ve been doing shockwave therapy and rehab, but I was getting a lot of pain and swelling in my elbow. I got a CT scan and an MRI last week, and I got the results back today.
“It’s deeper than the ligaments and the cartilage, so I need to have an injection of plasma and cortisone in my elbow joint, but everything else has healed and is perfect now.
“The last piece of the puzzle is these injections, but I can’t do anything for three or four days, hence why I pulled out this weekend, but back on Tuesday in Wigan in the Pro Tours.”
After two months out, Aspinall’s return is set for the Pro Tour mere days away.
A pain-free Aspinall enhances the PDC Tour
Due to his elbow injury, Aspinall has struggled in 2024 and has not been able to showcase the talents he has previously.
The Stockport thrower picked up the UK Open in 2019 and the World Matchplay in 2023 and looked like he could join the elite of the game.
With the 33-year-old now reaching full fitness, don’t be surprised to see him join Luke Humphries and Luke Littler as the next true greats.