James Milner is preparing for his 24th consecutive season as Premier League football player at the age of 39.
But you get the feeling that his sense of anticipation on a new campaign might never have been that great.
A determination to make up for lost time – both for him and his teammates – is clear in the tone of his answers during an interview in South Spain, the location of the training camp for the Brighton season.
Kniemurgy was decided to be the best way of acting after a knock in training prior to a competition in Arsenal last August, but there were complications with the operation and nerve damage were detected. A long and test period of rehabilitation followed.
“We have tried everything, hyperbaric rooms, hot coals, all different types of therapies – Scott Duggan de [Brighton] Physio was incredible, it is clearly not an injury that is customary, “said Milner.
“It just takes time to grow the guts and to come back. I think it was December 31, was the first time there was a sign of life and from there it got better.
“We pushed it hard. Some things, jump from boxes and so where I couldn't fully lift my foot were interesting!”
What was Milner's state of mind during the dismissal of the injury? Did he go to a few dark places?
He answers after a long break: “I wouldn't say dark, I would say frustrated times.”
Milner eventually returned from an injury and came up as a replacement on the last day of the season in Tottenham Hotspur.
After what happened, the chance to become the record Premier League performances is not the most important thing. It is fit and available for competitions and to be present to give advice for the young players.
He still needs 16 performances to catch up with Gareth Barry's Mark from 653.
Milner says: “If it is something I get, but for me to be honest, my focus contributes to the field. I want to be as fit as I can – be on the training field around this team of players,” he said.
Milner believes that his hunger and mental urge to play at the highest level is now stronger than ever before:
“It must be to keep doing it and pushing yourself,” he says.
“You may get out of bed in the morning, and you might have the strange cracking ankle and things like this, but that drive to want to do it – and it helps with the club where I am.
“That drive has to come from the inside, but you also want to put a marker. You want to push those guys and they can push me and hopefully I can also push them and that is clearly so important.”
Milner focuses on Brighton improvement
Milner wants to help Brighton – who will start the 2025/26 campaign on 16 August on August 16 – improving the eighth place of last season.
They came close to the qualification for European football with data that suggested that the players of the South Coast Club missed more days due to an injury than any other Premier League club.
Milner said: “I think you always want to improve the year in the year, so clearly improve the number of points that improve competition position.
“I think the injuries have influenced us. I don't think it was ever used as an excuse – I don't think I heard someone talk about it, but if you look at the data, it was a difficult season. I probably contributed a lot to it, but many other boys clearly also had difficulties.
“It probably cost us a few positions in the competition”
The former international in England expects big things from head coach Fabian Hurzeler after his first year in the Premier League.
Milner added: “The manager [Hurzeler] has had another season under his belt, so he will have taken a lot of being in the Premier League last season. I think we are in a good place at the moment in the preseason. “