Hartlepool United captain Nicky Featherstone feels he has "at least" another year in him ahead of contract negotiations this week

The skipper started every game, playing a total of 34 times, since returning to Pools in October.

The 35-year-old, who is hopeful of signing on for another season, has been an integral part of the Pools midfield for more than a decade.

Featherstone, who recently surpassed Ken Johnson to become the club's sixth-highest appearance maker, is due a testimonial next term but has always divided opinion among supporters.

Even so, it would be hard to argue that the former Hereford and Walsall midfielder has not been a stellar servant to the club, proving his worth again this season by adding calm and control to the engine room.

Injuries ravaged the Pools squad throughout the campaign meaning Featherstone, who turns 36 in September, has had to shoulder more than his fair share of responsibility despite edging towards the end of his career.

However the captain, who spent three months without a club after initially leaving Pools in the summer following what he termed a "misunderstanding", is confident he still has another season of regular football left in him.

"I didn't have a pre-season," he said.

"I had four weeks with Stockport and (Dave) Challinor, but they'd already been back for four or five weeks.

"I played 30 minutes and 45 minutes for, again, Dave Challinor doing me a favour.

"I don't think I'd played a competitive game before the Boreham Wood game for around four or five months, so I think it did take its toll over the last two or three games.

"I train every day, I'm available for every game and the body's still holding up, so I think I've got at least one more year in me."