PHIL Taylor has told Potteries pop idol Robbie Williams to stick to what he knows best.

The Power takes on Kevin McDine in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool tonight – and his preparations for the tournament included a few games against Williams.

Taylor stayed with his fellow Port Vale fan in Los Angeles earlier this month after winning the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

And after a few games of darts, Taylor reckons the multi-millionaire pop star should stick to singing.

“We played a couple of games,” said the 13-time world champion from Bradwell, “and he's rubbish. He could be a decent pub player if he practised, but I've told him he should stick to singing. He will definitely make a better living doing that.

“He's a smashing lad – a genuinely nice guy – and I'm glad to see him doing so well.”

Taylor will be flying the flag for the Potteries in Blackpool tonight following first-round defeats for Adrian Lewis, Andy Hamilton, Mark Frost and Chris Mason.

He will be an overwhelming favourite to book a semi-final place at the expense of McDine in their best of 31 legs showdown, having averaged an astonishing 109.7 in his second-round thrashing of Colin Osborne. That was the third highest average in the 15-year history of the tournament.

Taylor said: “I never think about averages. I never go into a game thinking 'I want to get a 110 average' because you can get that and still lose.

“All I'm bothered about is winning the match and then I can look at the averages afterwards if I want to.”

Taylor may need his best form again tonight to stay on course for a ninth title in Blackpool.

McDine, a 23-year-old based in Northamptonshire, has risen to number 45 in the world rankings after just over a year on the circuit and reached the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton last November.

He beat Lewis 10-8 in the first round at the Winter Gardens and then Mark Walsh to set up tonight's meeting.

Taylor said: “Kevin likes the longer matches, he's confident and he likes playing on television. He's one of the best young players around.”

However, Taylor is unbeaten in their five previous meetings – and that includes an exhibition when McDine was a teenager.

“I was only about 13 years old,” recalled McDine, “and Phil murdered me. He didn't show me any mercy.

“I grew up watching Phil and hoping I might be as good as him one day. But I don't think anyone ever will be.

“I've just got to play my best and hope he misses a few.”

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Second Round: Dennis Priestley 13, Terry Jenkins 11; Alan Tabern 13, John Part 7; Wayne Mardle 13, Michael van Gerwen 9; Matt Clark 13, Peter Manley 6; Raymond van Barneveld 13, Tony Eccles 3; James Wade 13, Ronnie Baxter 7.

TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm