WINGER Marc Pugh said he still had a lot more to give in his career and insisted: “I feel as good as I did when I was 22.”

The Cherries stalwart is set to exit Vitality Stadium at the end of this month following the expiration of his contract.

Bacup-born Pugh described as “the best nine years of my life” his time with the Dorset club, having signed from Hereford for £100,000 in 2010.

But the 32-year-old, who made 14 Championship appearances while on loan at Hull last season, insisted he had no intention of winding down his career.

Pugh, who was last week linked with a move to League One Portsmouth, told the Daily Echo: “I feel as good as I did when I was 22 actually. I think as you get older you look after yourself a lot more.

“You don’t take things for granted. Every time you step on the field you want to give your all for the cause.

“Fitness-wise I have probably got better. The nutrition side has been better as well and I am looking after myself, so it will stand me in good stead.

“I have done a nutrition course and am big into my nutrition. You have to get a few irons in the fire for life after football, you do think about it a lot but I feel I have a lot more to give at the moment.

“I’m sure I can play until I’m 40 – no problem!”

Pugh played a key role in promotion from League One with Cherries in 2012-13 before winning the Championship in 2014-15.

He went on to make 67 top-flight appearances for Eddie Howe’s men.

His final game for Cherries came in the FA Cup third round in January, during which he scored against Brighton.

Asked whether he felt Pugh could play until he was 40, boss Howe replied: “He is the type of player that – without being rude to Marc – has never had blistering pace, so he is never going to lose that.

“Those types of players can go on and on – as Fletch proved going on to nearly 40. Marc is so intelligent that it wouldn’t surprise me.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Marc and I have done it many times. It’s difficult to add new words to express how much he means to us and the other way round.

“He is always looking for new ways and his attitude is so good and that’s why, in part, we kept him for so many years. He has just been so important in so many different areas.

“Of course, on the pitch he produced and he is still an outstanding player.

“But there has to be a moment where you have to think of the player and he has to do what he does on a regular basis – which is play football.”