TWENTY years after setting out as a professional footballer with Liverpool, Tony Warner is set to start for Scunthorpe United today, after signing a short-term deal with the club.
After his release from Charlton Athletic at the end of last season, the former Hull City keeper has been training with Liverpool thanks to his working relationship with Reds boss Roy Hodgson, whom he played under at Fulham.
But, after 13 clubs, Warner, far from winding down his career, is still eager to get between the sticks today and beyond.
"Training wise, fitness wise I am tip-top – it is just the games that I have been lacking," said the veteran
"It is a good opportunity to get myself out there. Those opportunities have been restricted over the last few months.
"I have been thrust into a Championship game against Watford, who are third – it doesn't get much better than that."
After months of training only to have no game to play at the end of the week, Warner is delighted to get the chance to help out at Vicarage Road.
"It has been really hard mentally trying to deal with it," said the keeper of his scenario prior to his Glanford Park switch.
"But I want to play football so there is no other option.
"Looking at it that way, there is only one option I have got because I want to keep playing.
"I would be so unhappy if I had to say tomorrow, or in five minutes' time, I am retiring because I have had enough. I would be in a bad place.
"Training at Liverpool was hard, but it was the only option, and it was a good opportunity because there are lads in my position who aren't even training anywhere.
"Could they be thrown into a game today against Watford, probably not because they have not been training for two months.
"Everything that I have put into the bank at Liverpool hopefully will serve me well today.
"I'd like to think of it as getting my just rewards."