Record numbers expected for the Grand Slam

Wolverhampton's Grand Slam of Darts returns for 2014 expecting record numbers with title holder Phil Taylor in action on the opening day.

'The Power' - five times a Grand Slam winner - was placed into Group E and will play Bobby George's son Richie during Saturday's curtain raiser.

Taylor cannot meet Michael van Gerwen, the reigning world champion, until eight days later in the final of the £400,000 competition the following Sunday.

And the PDC revealed they have already sold 12,000 tickets for the Wolverhampton Civic Hall event, on course to surpass any of the seven years since its inception.

Tonight's draw also threw up what could be a Group G grudge rematch between James Wade and Mervyn King, who clashed in the final of the Masters on Sunday night.

Wade dramatically came back from 9-2 down to stun King 10-11, a match-deciding 135 checkout and wild celebrations leading to needle between the darting duo.

Tony O'Shea and Jamie Caven also feature in their group, with Wade first playing wildcard qualifier Caven while King takes on former semi-finalist O'Shea in Group G.

In the same group as Taylor, the world No 2 and second seed, Andy 'the Hammer' Hamilton and former BDO champion Christian Kist will do battle on Saturday.

Van Gerwen, a Grand Slam runner-up to Raymond van Barneveld in 2012, meets wildcard Darren Webster in Group A, where Kim Huybrechts also duels with Jan Dekker.

Stephen Bunting, a PDC defector but still the BDO title holder, makes his Grand Slam debut against Wesley Harms in Group H, which also contains Gary Anderson and Dean Winstanley.

Dutchman van Barneveld is one of only two other men apart from Taylor to win the competition, alongside BDO entrant Scott Waites.

'Barney' takes on another Grand Slam debutant in Robbie Green as part of Group D, where Robert Thornton and Vincent van der Voort also collide.

Two-time world champion Adrian Lewis will tackle Rowby-John Rodriguez in a new-look Group C, where Dave Chisnall has been paired with World Youth boss Keegan Brown.

Brendan Dolan, the highest-ranking player to not be involved automatically, first cashes in his wildcard pass against Peter Wright, Simon Whitlock and Michael Smith completing a tough Group F.

BDO player Alan Norris makes his Grand Slam bow, after coming runner-up to Bunting at Lakeside, against Ronny Huybrechts in Group B, where Waites also features alongside Terry Jenkins.

Saturday's games - split across two sessions live on Sky Sports - see the players compete in the first of three group games, with all 32 in action again on Sunday and then on either Monday or Tuesday.

The top two players from each group then progress to the knockout phase, with the schedule of play for the opening games to be confirmed today.

Tickets for the Grand Slam, sponsored by Singha Beer, are still available by calling 0870 320 7000 or by visiting www.wolvescivic.co.uk. Somes sessions have already sold out.

Group A: Michael van Gerwen, Kim Huybrechts, Jan Dekker, Darren Webster.

Group B: Alan Norris, Scott Waites, Terry Jenkins, Ronny Huybrechts

Group C: Adrian Lewis, Dave Chisnall, Keegan Brown, Rowby-John Rodriguez.

Group D: Raymond van Barneveld, Robert Thornton, Vincent van der Voort, Robbie Green.

Group E: Phil Taylor, Andy Hamilton, Christian Kist, Richie George.

Group F: Peter Wright, Simon Whitlock, Michael Smith, Brendan Dolan.

Group G: James Wade, Mervyn King, Tony O'Shea, Jamie Caven.

Group H: Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson, Dean Winstanley, Wesley Harms.