James Milner: The Brighton midfielder breaks the record for number of appearances in the Premier League

Chris Sutton told Final Score: “It’s unbelievable. To still be playing as a player at the age of 40 is testament to his dedication and attitude.

“I always remember him being super fit as a youngster, but to have a career, he’s a really special player and he’s still contributing.”

Sam Parkin, Milner’s team-mate during his loan to Swindon in 2003, added: “He came to Swindon on loan and we played about a dozen games together.

“He was very fit, he didn’t join the medical staff [going out] With the first league boys at the time. He was very professional and very driven. “He was a tough winger in those days.”

Milner has not played regularly since joining Brighton in 2023 and has made just three of his 16 Premier League appearances since the start.

Barry, who was Milner’s team-mate at Aston Villa and City in 134 of his 653 appearances, has held the record since September 2017.

Milner, who played 61 international matches for England, won the English Premier League title twice with Manchester City and once with Liverpool.

He also won the FA Cup and League Cup with both clubs, as well as the Champions League with the Reds.

Milner’s contract runs until the end of the season.