CHERRIES veteran Sylvain Distin has no fixed plans to make this season his Premier League swansong – but insists the spectre of retirement holds no fear.

The 37-year-old defender, who signed on a one-year deal at Dean Court earlier this month, was the oldest outfield player to grace the English top flight last season with 13 league appearances for former club Everton.

Distin is the leading foreign outfield appearance maker in the Premier League era on the back of 457 matches across 14 seasons with Newcastle, Manchester City, Portsmouth and the Toffees.

But while the Frenchman, who is manager Eddie Howe’s junior by just 17 days, acknowledges time is ticking down on his career, he promised to push the boundaries in his quest to play his part as Cherries start life among the elite.

Distin told the Daily Echo: “It is difficult at my age to think about the future. If I was the oldest outfield player in the Premier League last season then clearly, I will be again this time.

“You cannot predict what the future is going to bring, a lot depends on whether I am still enjoying it and whether I can still do it physically. There are a lot of parameters not in my hands.

“I need to focus and do what I did last season. After that, I will sit back and reflect on what happened. I will have to decide if the passion is still there and if it is, then why not (continue)?

“But I am going to be 38. There are not many players around doing what I am and there is a reason for that.

“You take a look round and see a guy like Tyrone Mings who is 22, a monster and a giant. The players are getting bigger, stronger, faster and better technically at a younger age.

“It is getting harder and harder but I have absolutely no problem with that. I am willing to put in the work.

“It is not going to last forever but I am comfortable with that because I played at the right clubs at the right times and enjoyed myself. It is not something I fear.

“I am not thinking ‘I don’t want to stop, I must carry on’ because that is not me. I will stop when I feel the time is right.”

And with English campaign number 15 on the horizon, Distin is keen to forget about his impressive appearance record for the time being.

“I have lost count,” he admits. “It is something you only think about when people remind you. I am passionate about playing football and that is the reason I am still working hard.

“When I do think about it, it is a nice feeling and I am proud but it is not the most important thing. I just want to play and be able to compete.”