Nottingham Forest full-back Carl Jenkinson says his best days are still ahead of him after an injury-hit career.
The Former Arsenal full-back Jenkinson is still only 27.
He left the Emirates for Nottingham Forest in the summer - only to make just four appearances before an ankle injury put him out of action again.
Now he is set to play at Chelsea - but admits he stayed positive and never thought his playing days were over.
Jenkinson said: 'I don't like to use the word unlucky, but maybe it has been to a certain extent.
'I've never been someone who has small, niggly injuries. Mine have been big ones that have kept me out for a long time.
'Ones that are completely out of your control.
'I've never let myself get down. I've always thought there's someone who's worse off than me and you need to crack on, work hard and deal with it.
'Of course it can be frustrating. As you get older you see other people going through similar things - if not worse.
'I won't name names, but I've got people around me who have had it a lot worse than me as footballers, with injuries.
'I've been in the world of football a long time now. You're never alone when you have an injury. There's always people who can rally around and help you out.
'I've still played a lot of football up to this point in my career. I'll play a lot more going forwards. 'Is the best yet to come? I think so, yes.
'I feel when you get to 27, 28 those are the best years of your career. '
Jenkinson made 29 Premier League starts in eight years at the Emirates Stadium and even when he was stringing a run of games together on loan at West Ham under Sam Allardyce and Slaven Bilic, an ACL injury sidelined him again.
'I can't affect impact injuries.
'Hopefully, I've seen the back of those and I can push on because 27, 28, 29 - they are the best years of your career and I'm determined to make sure these are the best years.'
'I know, when I'm fit and healthy, what level of player I am.
'I know where I can play. I've shown it in the past and I'll show it again. I've no doubts about that.
'I've had a frustrating few months, now I'm out and on the other side.
'It's important in that environment you stick together and we have that at Forest.'