Luke Littler has thrown his weight behind competitor Luke Humphries after the darts star hit out at the current playing schedule. Humphries had been in European Tour action over the weekend - an event Littler opted to sit out.

The world No.1 raised eyebrows on Saturday night after he dubbed himself “emotionally drained” and claimed competing at the moment felt like a “chore”. Humphries went on to reach the semi-finals of the event in Germany, losing to eventual champion Stephen Bunting.

Reacting to the claims by Humphries, his biggest rival, Littler mused: “It’s not good to see a player like Luke Humphries, the world No.1, admit he’s struggling.”

Much like Humphries, fellow Premier League ace Gerwyn Price had a similar complaint. On the claims, Littler added: “I totally agree with him, and Gerwyn Price said the same thing last night - it’s tough, especially when players are travelling to places where there are no direct flights and then you have to catch a train to reach the venue.

“I think Luke knows he has to balance his schedule and maybe focus on the Premier League. That’s why I’ve taken time off this year and I’ve not gone to the last two European Tour events.

“After I played against Luke in the final of the Premier League night in Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, we both said we were tired. I think we averaged around 94 (93.62 and 93.31) in that game and I was just happy to get the win.”

For the eight stars competing in the Premier League, the current period represents the busiest in the darts schedule, given they’re competing several times a week. Alongside the Premier League, the likes of Humphries, Littler and Price have been competing in the Players Championship and European Tour.

Commenting on the issue, Humphries said on Saturday: “When I’m up on stage I am just feeling emotionless. It’s weird and it’s me being honest to all the fans. I feel like my emotions are just all over the place. It’s not that I don’t want to be here — it just seems a chore for me at the moment. It’s just too much darts. I’m playing too much. I think I need a break. I’m emotionless and it is not good for my mental state.”

After receiving criticism on social media, Humphries posted in response: "Considering the comments, people not understanding what I meant… Will be the last time I ever confess my real feelings to the public. Everything I say or ever do just never seems to be good enough for anybody.. as long as no one complains when we all give the same answers in interviews like robots and not our true feelings. Then everyone I guess we’ll be happy, or usually will still find a way to moan at us."

Humphries will return to action on Thursday night for night 10 of the Premier League in Manchester.