SCOTT Mitchell’s darting career could be set for another highlight this weekend, as he hopes to secure a first competitive meeting against Phil Taylor.

The 2015 Lakeside winner is heading up to York after being invited to compete in the World Seniors Darts Matchplay.

Mitchell will get the action underway at the Barbican on Saturday afternoon, when he faces Paul Hogan.

Victory there would set up a mouth-watering clash against one of the legends of the game, in either three-time world champion John Part, or the icon Taylor, who won the world title a record 16 times. They play each other in the first round on Saturday evening.

The Seniors Tour is for players aged 50 and over and launched in 2022, with Robert Thornton the most successful player in the events so far.

Looking ahead to the competition in York, Dorset star Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “Paul Hogan and I have locked horns a few times, even at Lakeside we played.

“Him being from Basingstoke, we’ve come across each other lots of times at local comps. He’s going to be a really tough game first round.

“The carrot that is dangled is that if Phil Taylor beats John Part, the winner of us two plays Phil Taylor.

“So I’m sure we’ll both be wanting to do that. I’ve never played Phil in a proper game, only in exhibition games.”

Focus first is on getting past Hogan, who Mitchell defeated 3-2 at the BDO World Championship back in 2014.

“He’s a really, really tough opponent,” said Mitchell.

“He’s a dogged character. I’ve played many times with him at England. It’s one of those games where we know each other’s games inside out. It’s a real potential banana skin.

“There’s lots of others in the field I would rather be playing, if I’m honest.”

He added: “You’ve got to be mentally strong to beat Paul, because he’s always going to be on your tail, even if you get in front.

“I have so much respect for him, for the amount of time he’s been playing.”

Asked if the potential of facing Taylor on a TV stage is still the dream for players, Mitchell said: “I think so. He is just an absolute icon to play.

“When you play Phil, everybody knows about the game. He still has that massive draw.

“He still has the desire. I think he’s going to find his mojo fairly soon. He will not be happy unless he gets a World Seniors title somewhere along the line.

“He’s just a born winner.

“Whoever plays him, whether it’s Paul or I, we’ll have to be on our top mettle because he’s still got it.”

Mitchell’s game against Hogan takes place at 1pm on Saturday, with the tournament shown live on TNT Sports.