Evergreen Wolves defender Jody Craddock has been tipped to play until he is 40 – as the centre-back revealed he only ever expected to be “back up” this season.

The 34-year-old warhorse scored the first brace of his 16-year career to rescue a point in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Stoke.

Craddock is the club’s longest-serving outfield player having signed for £1.75million from Sunderland in 2003 and has played 190 games for Wolves, scoring 12 goals.

The veteran stopper, who signed a new one-year deal in the summer, has been Wolves’ best defender this season.

And striker Kevin Doyle reckons Craddock can play for a few years yet.

The £6.5million club record signing said: “There’s no reason why he shouldn’t go on another five, six or seven years.

“Jody looks after himself and he’s got plenty of years left in him. He’s a fit man and centre-halves seem to get a few extra years anyway over centre forwards and midfielders.”

Boss Mick McCarthy also believes Craddock can continue playing for a while.

He said: “Jody is far too fit and healthy to be having any swansongs. He’s doing himself no harm, he’s playing very well.”

Craddock is surprised to even be playing, after the arrival of Ronald Zubar and Michael Mancienne in the summer.

The veteran said: “Just playing games is massive for me. Before the season I thought I was just going to be on the sidelines being back up. That hasn’t been the case so far.

“Day in, day out training does get a little harder for me, but I try to keep my standards high and hopefully it will pay off on the pitch.”

Craddock believes a good understanding is developing between himself and central defensive partner Christophe Berra.

He said: “Hopefully that will help me stay in the team.”

Craddock admits he is finding Premier League football easier than in 2003-04, when Wolves were relegated in his first season at the club.

He said: “We have a stronger, better team and a more youthful team who can get about the pitch.”