Aaron Traynor insists he still has plenty to offer in the Irish Premiership despite finding his career in limbo.
The 32-year-old defender was released by Cliftonville at the end of last season following the arrival of new manager Jim Magilton.
It ended a frustrating season-long spell in North Belfast, one that was punctuated by injury.
Read more: Charity Shield clash to be streamed live this Saturday
Traynor has been working hard on his own during the summer break, to ensure he hits the ground running when a new club comes calling.
He said: "It has been a strange few weeks after being released by Cliftonville. Things were a wee bit up in the air at the end of the season, and I just wanted to know what my future was at Solitude.
"Jim (Magilton) eventually spoke to me and explained that I was being released, which I accepted. I wanted to know what was happening so I could plan ahead.
"At the end of the day I just want to play football. I am 32 and feel I have another two or three years left in the Premiership, at least.
"Clubs are obviously planning for next season, and I have to start preparing myself. So I am keeping busy and training hard, so I am ready if I get a call.
"I have been doing extra work with my brother who is a personal trainer, and playing five-a-sides with a few Irish League lads and current pros."
Traynor suffered a broken tibia shortly after arriving at Solitude, and the former Coleraine full-back believes his subsequent niggles may have earned him an unfair reputation for being injury prone.
"I fractured my tibia last season and was out for four months. It happened shortly after I joined Cliftonville," he said.
"I actually played with the fracture. I did it on the Tuesday night before I played against Newry City. I then went for a scan which confirmed the injury.
"Then I rushed myself back probably sooner than I should have and picked up other injuries. I didn't have a full recovery.
"So the past eight weeks I have been hammering away in the gym and working with my brother on injury prevention. So when I do come back there will be no glitches.
"I will be playing consistently and will be able to deliver. I feel I have two or three years at least left in me.
"People might dispute that, solely going on last season, but I know my own body. If you look at the years before that I was always fit and felt good.
"Last season just set me back. I wanted to go to Cliftonville as it was a new challenge and it made sense.
"My contract is now up and I am without a club. I have never been in this position before as I have always had contracts sorted out."
He added: "I just have to make sure I am ready if a club comes calling. I want to be ready to play games, instead of coming in and having to do four weeks of training.
"For a 32-year-old with two kids and a job, I am doing what I can. I am doing four to five sessions every week which is decent enough in my opinion."
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
