Mark Hudson is going into his 17th season of senior football and planning a future in coaching and management.

But the 34-year-old isn’t ready to stop playing just yet.

The Huddersfield Town captain is well aware boss David Wagner has brought in three new centre-backs.

Club-record £1.8m buy Christopher Schindler, his fellow German Michael Hefele and Slovenian Under 21 international Jon Gorenc Stankovic will all be staking a claim to feature in the head coach’s 4-2-3-1 system.

But Hudson, whose first-team bow was for Fulham in a League Cup tie at Chesterfield in September 2000, believes he still has something to offer, not least the experience gained over more than 400 games over a career which has also taken in Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City.

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He moved to West Yorkshire from South Wales in September 2014 and has been influential for Town both in the dressing room and on the pitch, where he made 83 appearances and scored five goals.

Hudson, who signed a new three-year contract which allows for a transition into coaching back in April, explained: “Coaching and management really appeals.

“I will be working on my qualifications (he already holds a UEFA B licence) but that won’t get in the way of playing.

“I’m not ready to stop yet, I have enjoyed pre-season and I am looking forward to getting stuck into another campaign.

“We have some great guys on board, both as people and players, and most of them have been here for all of pre-season.

“Our team-bonding trip to Sweden was tough but very useful and we have progressed from there really.

“The manager has had the chance to work on the system and style he wants us to play and all the lads are eager to start the season proper.”

After the Championship opener at home to Brentford, who won 5-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium on the final day of last season, Town face trips to relegated sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

“Sure it’s a tough start, and I still remember that Brentford game,” admitted Hudson.

“But it’s in the past, we are a different team and this is a new season.

“We want to carry on attacking as we did last time and shore things up at the back

“There’s no reason for us to fear any side in this division and I feel we have made progress under this manager.

“We want to find our rhythm early, take it match by match.”