TOP-FLIGHT veteran Gary Speed still feels as young as ever and he is determined to play every match possible in a Newcastle United shirt.
The 33-year-old played his 359th Premiership game of his career against West Brom on Saturday, and in the process he also made his 200th appearance in a Magpies shirt.
And Speed admits that he is not looking forward to the day when he has to take a side-step for a younger player.
''What keeps me going really is that I hate missing games,'' he said. ''I just want to play in every game. I feel as fit now as I did when I was 21, so it annoys me in a certain sense that I have the record Premiership appearances.
"People must think I'm old because it goes hand in hand, and it annoys me a bit.
''But I'm as fit now as I've ever been and I feel as good as ever. That spurs me on more, just to try to prove to people that my age is not an issue.
''You can't survive now in this class of football if you're not physically fit. If you look at the Arsenal team, they have 11 or 15 world class athletes in that team with great skill on the ball as well. If you play against them and you're not fit, they're just going to walk all over you.''
Newcastle claimed their third consecutive League win at St. James' Park, as Alan Shearer grabbed both goals.
The fixture brought to an end a hectic 24 day schedule in which Sir Bobby Robson's men played eight matches. And Speed paid tribute to the club's skipper after hitting his brace.
"It's been said before, but if you want the ball to fall to anyone, it would be him, wouldn't it?'' said Speed. ''The second goal was a perfect example of that.
''Again, he's been in the right place at the right time and produced the goods for us and the three points."
He added: "It's been a gruelling time, but it's not a case of being tired from it all.
"It's more mental than anything. If we think we're tired then we will be tired." Meanwhile, Robson was happy with the Worthington Cup draw after his side were pitted against Premiership rivals Everton at St. James' Park.
"I think that if we get a home draw I don't see how we can complain," said Robson.
"I think it's a reasonably good draw but it's not going to be easy." The match will be played the week commencing November 4.
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