Scott Parker has been twice the player he was last season - not least because for the first time in 18 months he’s injury free.

In fact, a decent pre-season has seen the 36-year-old with a new lease of life at Fulham.

Although he had the decency to laugh when Get West London told him we’ve predicted his retirement at least three times - he was deadly serious that he could keep going next season as well.

His boss reckoned Parker is a ‘coach in football boots’ - such is Parker’s influence on and off the pitch.

Slavisa Jokanovic has already declared his midfield maestro the equivalent of Donato Gama da Silva - or Donato, as everyone knew the former Spain international at Deportivo La Coruna.

Joka played there with the Brazilian in the 1990s, before Donato eventually retired at 41.

Model: Donato shows Leeds' Alan Smith a clean pair of heels

Right now, that doesn’t look too far fetched for Parker.

“I’ve had a full pre-season and not come off the back of surgery," he said.

“Last year I was chasing my tail, but now I feel fit and feel sharp.

“If you’d have asked me the retirement question last year, I would have said it’s not too long. But this year I feel I can contribute and as long as I can do that in any way I love being around.

"I’ve been here four years obviously it’s not been the best with me not being in a struggling side some times.

"But being in a successful team would be a massive highlight.

“Yeah, I want to try and carry on.”

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