Age is just a number to Jon Macken

There were no cakes for Jon Macken at Essington this week, not even a balloon, but it's not because the Walsall hitman fears his old age.

The evergreen striker turned 34 on Wednesday and despite entering the twilight of his career, insists he feels better than ever.

And tomorrow's trip to Notts County is another chance for the Manchester-born man to prove any lasting doubters outside of WS1 wrong.

An elder statesman in a squad with an average age of just 23, Macken won over the Saddlers faithful long ago after a free transfer switch last summer.

The latest spell in a long career marks a renaissance for the striker after testing spells at Barnsley and Derby, where he was frozen out at both clubs.

That experience helped Macken become more philosophical but was a world away from becoming Manchester City's £5million man following a move from Preston in 2002.

Now Macken is prepared for anything and insists getting older only fuels his fire.

He said: "You do you think you've got loads of time in the game but it comes around so fast and then you're looking at the back end of it.

"But you meet it head on – take everything as it comes and push on. That's how I look at things.

"You go to a different club and if it's not your time you move on and be successful somewhere else. That's how I look at life in general.

"Age is just a number. I feel 26 or 27 still. I'm still raring to go, enjoying it, enthusiastic and still want to achieve things.

"You can push yourself as far as you want and I still want to push myself to be the best I possible can be.

"That's what I do and the way I've always looked at it. As long as I feel fine I'll carry on.

"I'm probably enjoying it more in a funny kind of way because you know you're getting older and not getting any younger.

"You might not have five or six years left so you look forward to every training session and every game – every experience you can have."

The Saddlers threw him a lifeline last summer when he signed for ex-boss Chris Hutchings and helped spearhead their Great Escape with nine goals – leading the club to exercise a one-year option on his contract.

Macken has already notched twice this term but realises, however long he wants to play, it is about whether he can still cut it.

He said: "It's always about how much people want you rather than necessarily how long you want to play. I want to go on as long as possible, whether that be a year or four.

"If someone is going to give me the opportunity to continue I want to do that and I feel I can."