Manchester United captain Roy Keane says he will be retiring as a player at the end of the 2005-06 season.
The combative Ireland midfielder, who signed a four-year deal in 2002, told reporters on Friday: "When I signed the contract I believed that would be my last playing contract -- and I still believe that would be the case."
Hampered by injuries in recent years, notably a longstanding hip problem, the 33-year-old is still an inspirational figure for United despite his appearances and rest periods being carefully measured out by manager Alex Ferguson.
"I feel okay. We have probably got the balance right with the manager and the medical side of things," said Keane, who last year made a surprise return to international football and could yet play at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
"I am missing the odd game here and there. The games I have played I have felt fresh. Physically, my hip feels good and my knees, and mentally I always enjoy my football.
"With a few days rest here and there I do feel that bit fresher."
Keane moved to Old Trafford in 1993 from Nottingham Forest and has gone on to play 460 times for United, scoring his 50th goal for them in last weekend's 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Made captain at the beginning of the 1997-98 season, Keane's personal drive and authority, coupled with exceptional ball-winning skills, has made him one of the most daunting opponents in English football.
KEANE'S DRIVE
More recently, Keane has helped drive United back up to second place in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea, after a tricky start to the season.
United are also through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, a competition which has provided Keane with the biggest disappointment of his career.
United won it in 1999, but Keane missed the final in Barcelona against Bayern Munich through suspension.
His performance in the decisive semi-final at Juventus, during which he picked up the yellow card that ruled him out of the final, had been probably his best in a United shirt.
Ferguson underlined Keane's importance to the club's success over more than a decade in an interview last month.
Looking ahead to the changing of generations at United, Ferguson said: "Roy will be the hardest to replace.
"Forget about the playing part, it is the spiritual and emotional thing he gives you. He is an absolute beast of a man in terms of his will to win, and the influence he has in the dressing-room.
"I suppose my energy over the last 20-odd years has transmitted itself through the teams I've had and I've always tried to have a player that mirrors myself.
"Keane, without question, mirrors me almost to a tee."
Keane also holds the modern record for FA Cup final appearances at six, winning it four times with Manchester United in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2004 and losing with Nottingham Forest in 1991 and United in 1995.
Keane has never been far from controversy and his withdrawal from the Irish squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup finals after a disagreement with manager Mick McCarthy split Ireland down the middle.
Ironically, a musical based on that disagreement "I, Keano" opened to rave reviews in Dublin this week.
