James Milner wants to keep playing into his 40s after fighting back from a knee injury and complications that threatened to end his glittering career.
Milner came on for the closing minutes of Brighton's victory at Tottenham on Sunday, his first appearance since August.
He was fit and ready to return from the knee surgery in December only to be set back by nerve damage.
'I couldn't lift my foot or my toes, not an ideal scenario,' said the 39-year-old, renowned for his deadpan delivery. 'I didn't know whether I would be able to walk properly again let alone play football.