St Johnstone midfielder Chris Millar does not believe that his body is telling him his career is on a downward spiral.
And new Perth physio Tony Tompos is also convinced that there are a good few years left in him yet.
Millar, who made the latest of his injury comebacks against Motherwell on Saturday, knows that he needs to put together a run of matches that will prove them both right.
“The next few weeks and months are massive for me,” he said. “I understand that.
“It’s all very well coming in for one game and doing well, but I need to get four, five, six games under my belt to show I’m fit.
“It has been frustrating, I’ve spoken about it loads of times now and I know people have been joking about it.
“But for me it’s serious, after the Hearts game when I had to come off I was nearly in tears driving home.
“People don’t see what goes on behind the scenes, the amount of work you are doing day-to-day to get back playing again.
“I didn’t go to the Christmas night out because I wanted to keep working and make sure I was ready when the manager needed me.
“So although the lads give me stick about coming off, it’s serious. I’m serious about my football.
“If I thought I was off the pace or couldn’t do it any more, I’d see my body was telling me something.
“But I don’t feel like that, when I play I’m playing well and I’ve been doing well in training.
“I think I’m a pretty honest player and I don’t feel that my body is going.
“The new physio came in and he told me that he was surprised how fit I am for my age.
“He’s looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes and told me he’ll get me through to 36 at least.
“I’m not sure what he thought he was coming into, mind you, I think he might have expected me to be a cripple!
“Mentally it’s tough when you get injured but I feel I’ve been doing well when I have played, so it’s just a case of getting through it.
“Hopefully I can get a clear run now.”
As well as getting support from the McDiarmid Park physio, Millar has been boosted by words of encouragement from manager Tommy Wright.
“The gaffer and I have had frank discussions about it,” the 33-year-old revealed. “He told me he wouldn’t have me involved if he didn’t feel I was up to it.
“He does still think I have something to offer but I know myself there is no sentiment in football.
“If you are not doing it then you won’t be here, it’s as simple as that.
“The gaffer sees me every day in training and he knows I can still offer something to the team.
“You are well aware when you get to my age that time is against you but I’m not ready to finish by any means.”
Millar admitted that the retiral of Dave Mackay earlier this season was a reminder that football careers are short ones.
He said: “Obviously we’ve seen Mackay and Frazer Wright leave in the last couple of seasons, guys who were at the core of the squad here.
“And you do wonder who is next. But I believe I have plenty to offer and there is mileage in me yet.
“I enjoy football, I love doing what I do so it’s a case of taking it week to week and trying to stay fit.
“The new physio has changed a few little things. We’re monitoring it a lot and working on range of motion stuff a lot.
“He’s been really good but the proof will be in whether I can keep playing regularly or not.
“All the work is being done, but the real test comes on a Saturday and whether I can stay in the team.
“I had expected to wait a wee bit longer to get back in but Liam picked up an injury and that gave me the chance.
“Hopefully I can stay in for the Killie game now and I wouldn’t be worried about the plastic pitch down there.
“I’ve trained on our astro a few times recently so if the gaffer wants me to play I’ll be ready.”
