GWENT darts ace Nick Kenny insists he has what it takes to finally get the better of Glen Durrant and knock the top seed out of this year’s BDO World Championship.

Kenny makes his tournament bow today with a first round clash against favourite for the title and world number one Durrant at the Lakeside Country Club.

Middlesbrough’s Durrant, 46, has been a dominant figure on the BDO circuit over the last year and is the bookmakers’ choice to win what would be his first world crown.

But 23-year-old Cwmbran thrower Kenny is in good form too and will have his own army of fans behind him when he takes to the oche this afternoon (1pm).

“When the draw was made I said it couldn’t have been any worse for me,” said Kenny. “But Glen also said it was the worst possible draw for him as well.

“He knows he’s good enough to win the whole thing and if he beats me I think he will go all the way, but he does get nervous and hasn’t got to the final before.

“Two years ago he got to the semi-finals but missed loads of doubles against Martin Adams, who then used his experience to capitalise on Glen’s mistakes.

“In darts they always say to play the board and not the opponent, but when I play Glen it is going to depend on what he does.

“I know he’s not going to average below 95, he’s that good, but if I can play like I have been then I’ll have a good chance of beating him.

“The pressure is on him. The only pressure on me is the pressure I put on myself because I know I can win.

“People are thinking Glen is going to win the lot easily but if anyone can beat him I think I can, and it has been quite surprising how many people have said I can do well against him.

“He has beaten me every time we’ve played so it’s about time I beat him, and there’s no better place to do it than on the Lakeside stage.”

Further down the line, the Welshman could be tempted to try his luck with the BDO’s (British Darts Organisation) rival governing body, the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation).

But for now Kenny is more than happy to stay where he is and enjoy his Lakeside experience.

“The PDC is the place to be for the money and professionalism, but there’s not much of a difference in the standard,” added Kenny, who will be cheered on in Surrey by parents Mike and Lynne, brothers Liam and Craig, and girlfriend Kimberley.

“I’m happy where I am at the moment. I think I’ll see how I progress in the BDO over the next two or three years and go from there. I like playing for Wales and I want to keep doing that.”

The BDO World Championship starts today and runs until January 15.