When Scott Sinclair sealed his Bristol Rovers homecoming in October, supporters' delight was tempered just a little by questions of what the 33-year-old had left in the tank; signing as a free agent six months on from his previous competitive appearance from Preston North End, there was a natural uncertainty about the player they were getting.
Twenty-six appearances later, there no longer is any doubt; six goals, three assists and match-winning contributions have confirmed Sinclair's return has been a significant success for all parties, and his future for next season is already locked up with a new 18-month contract being agreed in January.
Having played as a winger, a wing-back and a midfielder in his second stint in the blue and white quarters, he has proven to be a valuable asset for his manager, who will be delighted to know of the hunger that the former Chelsea, Celtic and Manchester City player still has for the game, insisting he has several years still ahead of him on the pitch.
"I'm in good shape and I feel like I can play to 40," Sinclair told MailOnline. 'I'll take my coaching qualifications but I'm still enjoying my football and the gaffer is brilliant. That's why I signed longer term. Players take to him. He wants us looking up, aiming towards the Championship.
"And that feeling when you come in with three points is still the same. You can't get that anywhere else whether it's in the Champions League or League One. I'm enjoying the journey and I'll keep going. I'll know when it's time to stop."
Sinclair has showcased his athletic abilities as well as his technical gifts since his Rovers return, displaying he can still be a threat in wide areas with his pace despite being past his prime years. His longevity is no coincidence, he says, revealing he had not consumed alcohol throughout his career until he was let go by Preston, and even then he limited himself to just a few drinks with friends.
It has been a long career already when you consider Sinclair debuted for the Gas as a 15-year-old in 2004 and made two appearances before being snapped up by Chelsea. He did not play as much as he wanted at Stamford Bridge, making just five Premier League appearances before heading to Swansea City in 2010, but he says his time working under Jose Mourinho was invaluable for his development.
"I went from Bristol Rovers, training at an army camp and bringing my own packed lunch, to Chelsea where they had three or four chefs catering for your every need," he recalled.
"It was so exciting, at the time one of the best things you could imagine. It sounds silly but even the ball seemed like a better ball.
"I was around a winning team. I remember the dressing room when we won the FA Cup against Everton. The music was on and everyone was dancing with the trophy. When people talk about the winning feeling, that's it. That's the winning feeling.
"Learning from players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. You're around the best, you see the pressure, you see their routines. You can see the top and it makes you want to work harder. For me to be around all that at such a young age really spurred me on. I wanted to be part of that."
Sinclair and his current manager briefly crossed paths in Scotland, where the winger arguably played his best football, winning three consecutive trebles with Celtic and winning the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year award.
Barton's experience north of the border, however, was not what he had in mind, leaving Rangers after just eight appearances. Unfortunately for him, one of those games was a 5-1 beating at the hands of Celtic at Parkhead in 2016, with Sinclair getting on the scoresheet.
"I haven't mentioned it yet," he said. "I might keep that quiet. We were better than them at the time, simple as that."
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