For some reason, Stan Collymore believes the time is right for a comeback. He hasn't played professionally since a short, unhappy spell in Spain with Oviedo, preceded by a short, unhappy spells with Bradford City and Leicester City, but is currently training hard in Tenerife aiming for a return to the big time.

"I've had physical tests and I'm confident I will come back faster, stronger and fitter than I ever was," said Stan.

"A month from today I guarantee I will be able to stand side by side with any striker in the country and my physique will be up there with any of them.

"This time I'm not going to self-destruct. You are not going to see headlines about me being kicked out of a bar somewhere in the early hours rolling drunk.

"I saw nothing in the World Cup that made me think, 'I can't do that'. I know I can still be among the best."

Maybe a quick glance at his own birth certificate, confirming he's 35 years old, will convince Stan that he won't cut it in the Premiership. It's one thing to (finally) be dedicated, but only players who've looked after their bodies (Teddy Sherringham, Peter Beardsley etc) get to play at the top level beyond their mid-30s.

In a way, this is exactly what many predicted the first (and second and third) time Stan retired. There's nothing like being a professional player, and anyone who walks away from it without achieving what they're capable of is going have plenty of regrets. Unfortunately for Collymore, it's too late to put things right.

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