This may or may not be Paul Ince's last season as a professional footballer.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers skipper hinted this week that this season would be his swansong. And, for now, we're going to have to believe him.
But, seeing as he has dropped the same hint now for the past three seasons, it's one to be taken with a pinch of salt.
If, as many expect, Ince does lead Wolves to the promised land again at the age of 38 next May, it's hard to believe he won't fancy one last crack at the top flight.
For now, his manager Glenn Hoddle is simply relieved to still have him around for this campaign. And, although Ince faces a fitness test before being included against Southampton tomorrow, clearly in such good fettle too.
A remarkable transformation for a player whose legs were widely assumed to have gone this time a year ago shortly before embarking on a three- month spell of inactivity under Dave Jones, caretaker boss Stuart Gray and then Hoddle himself.
It was almost with trepidation that Hoddle picked his old England skipper for his first league start under him in early January - but Ince was to prove a monumental presence.
He is yet to finish on the losing side in a league game under Hoddle. And his manager is quick to emphasise his continued importance to the team.
"He's still the driving force who makes other players play around him," said Hoddle. "And there is still a fear and a respect from the opposition about him.
"I'm not concerned with what went on before I came here. He's a pleasure to work with. And he proved in the six months I was here what a massive influence he still is.
"What is more, I thought it was very important at the end of the season that we won three matches without him, which will serve as a confidence boost to the rest of the squad."
