RYAN Clarke believes the best days of his career lie ahead as the Oxford United goalkeeper targets playing all the way until he turns 40.

He stands on the threshold of a comeback after missing the opening two months of the season following foot surgery.

The return could come against Newport County tomorrow, following two run-outs for the development squad.

After turning 32 in April, Clarke is already the oldest player in the U’s squad, but he intends to play for many more seasons.

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“I’d like to be earning money from playing football until I’m about 40,” he said.

“Physically I feel really good and I make sure I look after myself off the pitch really well now.

“Last year I think was the peak of my career with the way that things went, so hopefully in the next three or four years I can up it a notch again.”

While admitting his younger self scoffed at the suggestion goalkeepers improved after they passed 30, he now firmly subscribes to the adage – because he has lived it.

He said: “I used to stick my nose up at it, but now I totally agree.

“In terms of managing games and consistency I think I’ve got better as I’ve got older.

“People say you’re relatively young at 32 and I’d like to think that.

“I want to kick on again, push myself really hard and see where that takes me.”

After barely missing a game in his first three and a half years at United, Clarke probably needed directions to find the club’s treatment room when a serious problem struck two seasons ago.

In January 2013, he had major operations on both shoulders.

Recovery took six months, but he impressively fought back to play 53 games last season – the most of his career in a single campaign.

By comparison it made missing the start of this season irritating, rather than exasperating.

He said: “In the last six years I’ve not missed too much football.

“For me to have the two shoulders done, I thought that was a massive thing, so the foot was a four-stitch cut.

“I stayed positive with the shoulders, so this was a breeze really.”

Ironically, Clarke’s absence has arguably enhanced his status as United’s No 1.

His long-term deputy Max Crocombe has only played twice, with George Long, signed as cover due to the surgery, only keeping one clean sheet so far.

But for Clarke, more than a decade their senior, the presence of the two stoppers will keep him on his toes.

He said: “It’s an intense training school here, especially with the goalkeepers, we really do push each other.

“I’ve got to push myself now with these two young pups flying around, I can’t afford to slack off.”

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