Ricky focused on the job and not what lies ahead

But the Kettering ace knows he has some serious work to do before he earns that opportunity.

‘Rapid’ will begin his campaign in the second round at the Alexandra Palace having secured a place in the top 32 players in the world after a fine year on the PDC ProTour.

Evans will play either Mark McGeeney or Matt Campbell next Friday (December 20) afternoon.

The winner of that could then face world number one van Gerwen in the third round on Sunday, December 22.

And Evans is hoping it will be him who has that potential opportunity.

“I want to play him (van Gerwen) so badly but I have got to respect the two players who are in front of me because they are both world class,” the 29-year-old said.

“You don’t qualify for the Ally Pally from your local pub, you have to be of some standard to get there so I will be concentrating on that match more than anything.

“I want to play Michael but there are two world class players in front of me and I have to make sure my game is there and that I am doing everything right leading up to it.”

Evans has enjoyed one of his best years on the circuit and has qualified for the majority of the major competitions including making his World Matchplay debut in Blackpool in the summer.

And, given his rise in the rankings, he believes his fifth appearance at the Worlds will feel different to the ones before it.

“It’s been a good year so far,” Evans added.

“In previous years it has been a case just being happy to get to the Worlds but this time it’s a bit of a different feeling.

“I have qualified for so many events this year that it just feels like another competition for me now.

“I have made big inroads in the rankings and my television form has got a lot better. So it feels like people actually know who I am now."