Sweeney determined to 'kick on' after injury return

Pierce Sweeney is closing in on his 400th Exeter City appearance

Exeter City captain Pierce Sweeney says his long injury lay-off has inspired him to make the most of what is left of his career.

Sweeney, who is the club's longest-serving player, came back last month having been out since December following a calf problem and hip surgery.

The Irishman, who is celebrating his testimonial year as he approaches a decade at St James Park, says a frank conversation with manager Gary Caldwell changed his perspective on his future.

"I've had some tough conversations with the manager over the last six to seven weeks, on a personal level and on a professional level, about me moving forward," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"I turned 31 a couple weeks ago so I'm getting towards the later years of my career and he basically gave me two options - I either fizzle out or I kick on.

"I came to the conclusion, had a really good conversation with my partner, and I want to be here for the duration of my career."

Sweeney says he is in the best shape of his career and is keen to force his way back into the Grecians' starting line-up.

"I've had to use training for fitness, whereas previously I was using training to stay on top of my game and to kind of use it as maintenance towards the weekend.

"In recent weeks I haven't had the game time so I've had to kind of push myself more and train and so I'm in a really good spot at the minute.

"I've lost an awful lot of weight, I'm in probably the best condition I've been in since I signed for the football club and I feel really good."

Sweeney joined Exeter from Reading in the summer of 2016 and, apart from a brief pre-season spell at financially-troubled Swindon Town in 2021, has been at St James Park ever since.

He has made 396 appearances for the Grecians, helping them win promotion from League Two in 2022 and reach three Wembley play-off finals, and says he wants to leave a lasting legacy at the club.

"When all the testimonial stuff came out I've always said the next thing for me is to chase down the top of the leaderboard for appearances.

"Then after that the second goal is to be the captain and to be involved in the team who has finished highest in League One at this football club.

"I've got a personal goal and a team goal that I want to achieve before my time was up at the football club."

He added: "396 is is a fantastic achievement for me, one step closer to 400, but I feel in a really good place at the moment and I think when I hit 400 I think the next one would be 450 and then we can start talking about big numbers."