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Alex Baptiste intends to extend his playing career for a 20th season, even if he is released by Bolton Wanderers.
The 36-year-old defender feels he still has something to give on the pitch and is looking to play on for at least another 12 months.
Baptiste is out of contract this summer and met with Ian Evatt yesterday to discuss whether he will be released or kept on.
And while the outcome of the talks – and those of several other first teamers – is being kept under wraps until an official announcement is made, the former Blackpool and Middlesbrough man still feels he can continue in a playing capacity.
“I am honest and I know when people start skipping past me then it’s game over,” he told The Bolton News.
“Dapo (Afolayan) does, Xav (Amaechi) does, but they skip past a lot of players. But I know I can deal with players of their calibre in League Two or Conference, League One – I can definitely do it.
“The gaffer is my mate but we have a completely working relationship. If it is time to go then we shake hands and I have done my best, he has done his best but wants to move forward.
“He has an unbelievable work ethic and he wants to get promoted next year, trust me.
“If I am not part of those plans then it’s OK. It is good.”
Baptiste has started 12 games this season, with a further six appearances made from the bench. He got a late cameo in the 4-2 victory against Fleetwood on Saturday which many assumed would be his farewell appearance in a Bolton shirt.
Over two spells with Wanderers, split between three separate divisions, he has played 102 games and scored five goals.
And while being out of the team has been tough this season, the experienced campaigner can see that Evatt’s team is heading in the right direction.
“The person I am, until I retire, I will always want to play,” he said.
“It has been hard. The lads have been unbelievable but the fire and the competitiveness I have, it has been hard.
“But it isn’t about me, it is about the team and the club and there has been progression, one million per cent.
“Blocks have been built for next season. From where it was when I was here last time the club went down and it does take time to build back up.
“The culture is massive, the recruitment has been unbelievable, and that is all that matters.
“Obviously I know how old I am. There are not many years left in me but life moves on and the club moves on. It is more important that the club has something stable with the gaffer and the owners.”
Baptiste has played an important part for Evatt behind the scenes, helping to police and advise the dressing room this season.
And whether he leaves the UniBol this summer or not, the defender says he will always be available to help Bolton in the future.
“I don’t mince my words with people,” he said. “I am straight down the line.
“If something needs to be said, you might not want to hear it, but I will say it.
“It is just me as a person, I can’t get away from that.
“Any player can come to me and I’ll tell them the truth. I hope it helps the younger lads who are just starting, maybe going through something that might be off the field.
“Forget football, even if I am not here then they can always come to me.
“It is amazing to help people, you have to do it. This club embodies that, the owners and Sharon embody that.”
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