Albion striker Steve Claridge today vowed to still be playing professional football when he is 40.

Claridge has re-launched a 20-year League career with the Seagulls after 16 months as player-manager of Weymouth.

The 38-year-old is already looking beyond his hopes of staying with Albion for the rest of the season as he prepares for his home debut against Burnley at Withdean on Saturday.

The former Millwall front man, signed for a month, said: "I've made it clear I'd like to stay until the end of the season.

"At my age you just take it year by year, but I know what I have got left in the tank.

"I've looked after myself and I am confident I can go on, probably through this year and next at least. I love playing and I am not going to give up until I stop enjoying it."

Claridge is the latest in a line of veterans signed in an emergency by the Seagulls in recent seasons, such as Frank Stapleton, Phil Stant, Russell Osman and Dave Beasant.

He proved he still has plenty to offer in last Saturday's shock 1-0 win at West Ham.

Manager Mark McGhee, who also signed Claridge for Wolves and Millwall, revealed: "He said to me give me a month and I will prove I am worth keeping for the rest of the season'. He did on Saturday, that's for sure."

Fellow veteran Guy Butters, three years his junior, is glad to be playing with rather than against Claridge.

The Upton Park goal hero said: "I've played against him over the years and the one thing you get with Steve, even though he is about 89, is a guarantee that he will run all day.

"The way he holds the ball up is brilliant and it's just amazing that he can keep on doing it. He's an awkward customer to play against."

Claridge could link up with Leon Knight for the first time against Burnley, as Adam Virgo starts a three-match suspension for his red card against the Hammers.

"I've seen little bits of Leon," Claridge said. "He looks confident and he has an eye for goal. I would not presume to judge anybody until I have seen them over a period of time.

"I am sure who ever plays up front I will be able to help them out, but they are not short of advice. They have got a manager who was not a bad player.

"I've played at Withdean once with Millwall. It was rather uninspiring. I didn't play particularly well and we lost, so I have got no great memories. Hopefully I will be able to redress the balance.

"Until the club's got a ground we have got to fight tooth and nail to stay in this division, and I am sure we will. Honesty and hard work, aided by a little bit of quality, and we will be fine."

Claridge has been given the No. 25 shirt, left vacant until now following Bobby Zamora's move to Spurs in July 2003.

Zamora only came off the bench for West Ham for the last half-hour last Saturday, but former Albion team-mate Nathan Jones has warned he should not be written off.

"Bobby is still young," Jones said. "People forget he is only 23. You are not going to see the best of him yet."