Tricole, the first Frenchman to play in the tournament last year when he lost in the second round to 2018 champion Rob Cross, admitted facing Humphries would be difficult.
“He is the current world champion, number one in the world and the last winner of the PDC – Players Championship Finals. There is no one fitter than him,” he told BBC Sport.
“So it would be quite a challenge for me. If I can play with him, I would like to give my all and make him doubt me. But maybe he wouldn’t be at his best. It’s hard to believe I could beat him even if I played with him, but I would do everything in my power to do so.
While the rise to fame of 17-year-old Littler, who won 10 league titles in his debut season as a professional, was credited with helping the game of darts skyrocket in popularity, Humphries was happy with his own year as world number one.
“It was amazing, it was very tiring. I liked it and I think I did myself justice,” he said.
“I have been in six major finals, won the World Cup [with England]World Matchplay and stayed in the Players Championship final – I can’t say it wasn’t a success. I’m quite proud of the way I handled it. “
