Michael Duberry says he plans to carry on playing football next year – wherever that may be.

The veteran defender has fought back from a serious neck operation last summer and was Oxford United’s captain in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Rochdale.

Duberry’s contract with Oxford finishes at the end of this season, and while the 37-year-old is under no illusions that his career is almost over, he says that he will be the one who makes the final decision on hanging up his boots.

When asked if he could continue playing for another season, the former Chelsea and Leeds man replied: “I think I can, yes.

“I don’t see any reason why not. I don’t play like a 37-year-old. I don’t play like an old man.

“I am fit and well and still have the hunger and desire. I will stop when I want to stop, not because people may say I am too old.”

He added: “I love football. Many pros I have spoken to have told me to play for as long as you can because once it’s gone, you can never get it back.

“I love playing. I love competing against forwards – the young ones coming through that run me down the line.

“How many do that and get away with it? I still believe that they walk away at the final whistle knowing they have had a good game against me.”

Duberry was delighted to end this season’s home campaign with a win, even though it ultimately counts for nothing with the play-offs now out of reach.

However, on a personal note, he admits that playing any part this season was an achievement after the potentially career-ending surgery.

“I came into this game knowing it could be my last one at the Kassam,” he said.

“When I look back over the season, the positive for me is that I got myself back playing again.

“I’ve come back, I have done my pre-season and am now feeling fit and sharp – but the games have run out and the season has come to an end which is disappointing.

“Now let’s just see what happens. I will speak to the club and if I depart then I leave with a smile on my face and my last game was a 3-0 win and I was captain.”

Duberry shares the disappointment of everyone connected with the club that the U’s have fallen short this season.

But he believes the emergence of several youngsters into the first-team picture means that the future of United is strong.

“We have got lots of very good young players coming through here and I expect some of them to be challenging for places next year,” he said.

He added: “It’s been below-par this season, everyone has been disappointed with our home form on the whole.

“It was nice to at least give the fans something to cheer with a good 3-0 win in the final home game of the season.”