Dennis Irwin today committed himself to another season with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 37-year-old played a major part in helping the Molineux club regain their top flight status via promotion from Nationwide Division One last season.
He and former England international Paul Ince (35) have decided they can meet the physical demands of the Premier League for another 12 months.
Irwin admitted he had almost decided to hang up his boots in May but has had a change of heart after the summer - and after seeing the fixture list for the new season.
He is relishing the prospect of making a sentimental return to Old Trafford, where he enjoyed so much success with Ince, for a televised game with champions Manchester United in August.
Irwin said: "After the play-offs I thought that was it. But I spoke to a lot of people over the summer, and four or five weeks off numbs the mind and you forget how tired you are.
"But I do feel I am fit enough to play another year, and want to go again. It is a heck of a challenge for us, but I am looking forward to it.
"I want to help Wolves stay up, although we are not just thinking about doing that. There are 10 or 12 teams in the division we want to be in amongst, and battling with," Irwin said.
"When I saw the fixtures come out, and we were away to Manchester United in the third game of the season, that was also a big buzz, and you are a long time retired. You want to be part of the Premiership".
Ince, who will remain as club captain, admitted it had been an easier decision for him to have another season in the Black Country.
He said: "When last season came to an end I felt a lot better physically than I had done for the previous two years, so it was not as hard a decision to come back this year. As long as you feel physically right, you want to play as long as you can".