James Milner has said he hopes he has a few more matches left in him after he moved joint-second in the Premier League’s all-time appearance charts in Brighton & Hove Albion's goalless draw at West Ham United.
It was the 632nd time the 37-year-old had played in the competition, moving level with Ryan Giggs, while it is also the first time this season he has completed 90 minutes.
Milner's longevity is such that despite making his debut for Leeds United back in November 2002, the midfielder says he still loves playing football.
The joint-second most appearances in Premier League history 👏@JamesMilner is among esteemed company! pic.twitter.com/FTA1IR5wko
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2024
“It’s a big number," Milner told the club's official website. "I am still loving it, being at this club with this group of players and working under this manager. I am enjoying it and hopefully I have got a few more in me yet.
“You just want to keep contributing for as long as possible.
“When you are at a team that is always pushing and a club that always wants to improve on the great work that was done last year, it’s a great challenge and I enjoy being part of it.”
Milner added: "We get looked after very well these days and I try to take advantage of that as much as I can - the physios, the work we do in the gym.
"You need the drive and the will to keep pushing every day and I've still got that. If you lose that it's time to hang them up."
Following his appearance on Tuesday, Milner is only 21 matches short of equalling the record set by his former Aston Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, with 653.
