Darren Pratley has suggested he would be open to finishing his playing career with Charlton.

The 34-year-old, who will be 36 when his current deal runs out in June 2021, has repeatedly dismissed ideas of hanging his boots up soon.

Although he wants to continue playing for as long as he can, the midfielder appears open to the idea of calling time as an Addick.

Pratley said: “I think one of the first questions, I think it was [Millwall striker] Tom Bradshaw, asked me when I signed my contract in the summer was, 'How do you see yourself now?'. I said, 'I'm going to be looking to get another contract. To try and fight for another year.'

“I want to play as many games as I can. Like I said, I'm one of the fittest in the team so if I'm one of the fittest in the team I don't see why I should, personally, try and wait for someone to come and take my place.

“Believe me, at 34 I'll still be gutted if I'm not playing. I don't show it around the lads but my missus and my little girl know at home when I'm not picked.

“The day I'm not bothered when I don't play is the day I'll probably say, 'That's enough for me'.”

Asked whether he would like to stay on at Charlton beyond his current deal, he added: “Yeah, I'll fight for as long as I can. I'm back home in London, where I want to be, and I want to play football for as long as I can.

“I started my professional career playing against Charlton at The Valley for Fulham as a 19-year-old in the Premier League, and if I could retire at Charlton then it'd be a nice little story to tell.

“Everyone in the football club is fighting for a new contract, and you should be. Whether you sign for one year, you sign a five-year [deal], you're looking to get the next thing.”

Coincidentally, Charlton’s next game is against the team Pratley started his professional career with nearly 18 years ago. He made his league debut by coming off the bench during a 3-1 defeat for the Cottagers.

That turned out to be his last senior appearance for Fulham and has never been on the winning side against them since leaving Craven Cottage.

Pratley insists it will be a “tough” game against the play-off contenders, who will want to take all three points in their quest for promotion.

He said: “They keep the ball for fun, they are a Premier League team. That will be a tough game. They have had an extra day's rest because of yesterday [having played Middlesbrough on a Friday], they are a very good side. Very, very good side.

“We got a point down at their place and we're going to have to be at it. That will be a tough game and I think our home crowd will help us to try and get something out of that game.”