Nathan Aspinall believes Michael Smith will return to his best form ahead of the pair’s meeting at the Grand Slam of Darts.Smith, who was victorious at the event in 2022, has been plagued by arthritis as well as wrist, shoulder and foot injuries.Michael Smith is set for his return to the big stage after a tumultuous 2025GettyThat saw him slip out of the world’s top 16 causing him to miss out on the Premier League, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.But after qualifying for this week’s Grand Slam, ‘Bully Boy’ has the opportunity to reignite his career and Aspinall is confident his close friend will soon return to the top-15 in the world rankings.On his way back“He’s back on track,” Aspinall said. “He was through a lot. He’s had a lot of injuries, and mentally it wasn’t easy. That’s why I’m really happy to see him back on television. Well, less happy that he’s in my group, but good.“Michael did it his own way. I openly sought help at the time; he preferred to handle it himself. Everyone handles that differently, and fair play for that. “But he’s done well. He never lost his talent, just his confidence. Last weekend at the qualifiers you saw that: he played very well again.”“He absolutely deserves to be here. Hopefully he throws bad against me on Saturday and then great. “Michael always does his own thing, and that seems to be working again now. He’s back on TV, and I really believe he’ll be back in the top fifteen by the end of next year.”The 2022 world champion has endured his most difficult season having suffered 19 first-round defeats on the Pro Tour.It could also see the current world No.30 end the year without a title for the first time since 2019.But a return to the big stage this weekend will signal the first step in his renaissance with the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships next month still attainable.Nathan Aspinall goes up against close friend Smith on Saturday nightGettyStep by step“You don’t understand the relief I felt today playing these matches,” Smith said after successfully coming through his qualifying matches for the Grand Slam of Darts.“From three weeks ago crying in bed because I can’t walk, to then winning the qualifiers today felt unreal,” Smith told Darts Corner.“I don’t show what I’ve been doing in the practice room but some of my game came out to play. And my emotions certainly did.“I didn’t have the greatest results but if you saw my games I had a couple of 96 averages and a 101 average.”“Even in one of the matches I lost with a 96, I had a first-nine average of 124.“So, it’s just the winning bit now that is doing my head in. For me now, it is about getting to the World Championship. All I have to do is win three or four games and then I am back in the top 10.Smith is dreaming of a return to his glory daysGetty“For me, it’s just get there, get myself back on TV, get back playing well – because I know I will do it.“You have some ex-pros saying I’m gone, but they’ve tried it and quit and become commentators. I am only 35, so I’ve got plenty of time to fight back.”