Wade Elliott may not be Birmingham City's Running Man as such, but he shows no signs of letting up.

The versatile midfielder is close to clocking up 600 career appearances.

If selected at Derby County on Saturday, Elliott will be up to 596 appearances.

From his days starting out as a professional at Bournemouth, on to Burnley and now Blues, Elliott has been a constant. He misses few games.

A belated introduction into the Football League has probably helped him, he believes.

Elliott came into the professional game aged 21.

Before that he was playing for Bashley and studying for a degree in communications and sociology at university.

"Speaking to the head of sports science Nick Davies, he says my biological and training age is younger than my actual age," said Elliott, who turns 34 next month.

"I've been very fortunate in that I've not missed a lot of training or games throughout my career.

"Anybody who knows me or has worked with me will tell you that I've looked after myself.

"Everything that you do in training and matches is monitored.

"Physically I'm in as good a shape as I've ever been, so I think there's plenty of football in me yet.

"I didn't make my Bournemouth debut until I was 21 so I've always felt like I was catching up and that's part of the reason why I always have a hunger to train and play games.

"I don't like missing out.

"Nobody likes being on the bench but because I came into it late that's part of it.

"I played non-league and I enjoyed it, but this is a completely different type of buzz where there's a lot more on the line and there's bigger crowds and better pitches.

"I just enjoy playing football and I think whatever I do after this won't be as good.

"This will probably be the best thing I'll do, so I want to do it as long as I can."

Elliott has been one of Blues' most consistent performers this season, primarily in a role wide on the left.

He is not the kind to catch the eye, or roar past people dribbling the ball like more traditional wingers.

But he is a very shrewd and effective player, with quick feet and an eye for a pass.

He has played in every midfield position for Blues, in a role just off the front, and even had to deputise at full-back this campaign, due to injuries afflicting those in that spot.

His versatility attracted Chris Hughton last season, and perhaps worked against him also.

"Yes, it's probably why it was a bit of a mixed one last season," Elliott told Blues News match programme.

"I came into the club a few weeks into the season and there was already a settled team, so it was a case of fitting in here and there and everywhere and it's difficult to nail down a position that's actually your own.

"But that was something I was well aware of when I signed and I was happy to do a job where the manager saw best fit.

"Ideally if you ask any player they want to be out there playing. It's what we're all here for and you want to be in a settled position."

Blues go into Saturday's game at Pride Park without David Murphy, who tonight checks in at hospital for knee surgery.

The left-back could be out for five months if Blues worst fears are confirmed.

It's another injury blow to the defensive department, which seems to be jinxed this season.

Hopefully centre-half Curtis Davies will be fit enough to return to the ranks.

He has missed Blues last two matches due to an ankle problem.

Partly as a result of Murphy's mishap, Paul Robinson's contract has been extended to January 27.

Blues are at Blackpool on Tuesday before taking on Middlesbrough the following Saturday at St Andrew's.