Crouch keen to keep playing

Despite being well in veteran territory at the age of 37, the beanpole striker has no intention of hanging his boots up quite yet, telling 'Sky Sports' that he is appreciating playing football more than ever before.

"When you do see the end and get past a certain age it's a little bit scary and the minutes you get are more precious than they were 10 years ago," he said.

"I appreciate them more than I did when I was 25. I want to stay in this game as long as I can.

"I don't think my attributes have changed and I haven't had many injuries, so if I can maintain that I can go on for a few years yet. I want to play at this level as long as I can.

"I love coming in every day training and playing the games. It's exciting, it's what I want to be doing."

Crouch is yet to start a Premier League game so far this season and he admits that he would like to see that change sooner rather than later.

"I still feel great and hungry enough to be starting games. That's what I want to do," he said.

"When I have got in the side I have felt I have done well, but for whatever reason we change things and I have to be ready to come off the bench.

"I think I am the closest I have been to starting a game, putting pressure on the manager by coming on and doing ok and scoring goals, so hopefully I have put enough pressure on him to warrant a start, and I hope that's on Monday at Brighton."

The England international is out of contract at the end of the season, though he is keen to clear up the uncertainty over his future in the coming weeks.

"I would like to get things sorted," he admitted. "I love it here and I don't see any real reason to move.

"If I was getting no minutes it would be difficult but I am playing games and knocking on the door to start games. I am happy here so I would probably like to stay. If things aren't sorted out before January I would have to look at options, but I am happy here and hope the club feel the same."