LEE Grant is the only Derby County player to have played every minute of every game this season – and the goalkeeper is not done yet.
Rams boss Steve McClaren made six changes for Saturday's final League game of the campaign against Leeds United – but Grant has remained a constant between the sticks since rejoining the club from Burnley last summer.
The 31-year-old made his 50th appearance of 2013-14, in all competitions, at Elland Road.
Craig Forsyth has started every match too but was substituted towards the end of last month's 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town, to remove the risk of him picking up a 10th yellow card before the suspension cut-off point.
Grant and co now have the prospect of two more games to come in the Championship play-off semi-final against Brighton as Derby go for promotion to the Premier League, plus, potentially, a Wembley final.
"Last season, I played nearly every minute of every game at Burnley," said Grant.
"I came off in the last minute of the last game.
"I was enjoying clapping the crowd as I came off and it wasn't until afterwards that I realised I had missed out on playing every minute.
"That was a bit disappointing and I was determined not to miss out again this season.
"To play virtually every game for two years on the spin is pleasing for me, personally.
"But we know it's the next two – or three – games that are now the most important."
Grant played a big part in helping the Rams pick up a point at Leeds, denying the hosts with a string of saves in the 1-1 draw.
He had a running battle with big striker Matt Smith and left the ground with a split lip for his troubles.
"It's part and parcel of the game, when you're up against a physical side," said the Derby stopper.
"A split lip here and the odd stitch there, it's all fine by me.
"He (Smith) ended up on his back on a couple of occasions, which was quite satisfying for me.
"At the end of the day, it's my job to come and ease pressure if possible.
"It's about choosing the right occasion to come and do that – and I think I helped out a couple of times.
"But I must say, the lads in front of me have been very smart with their defending – their tackles, headers and last-ditch stuff in the line.
"It really does bode well."
Although neither team had anything to play for in terms of league position, it was a typically competitive game between the two old rivals, rather than a lacklustre end-of-season affair.
"I think we quite relished the physical side of it, actually," said Grant.
"You're never quite sure how these games are going to pan out, whether it's going to be a bit of an end-of-season affair and a slower tempo.
"Thankfully for us, it had plenty of things in it that could resemble a hectic and chaotic play-off game.
"It was a great test, physically, with their style of play.
"There were some good tests out there for everybody.
"You do want these games to be played in the right manner and the right spirit.
"The fact it was such a good test is much better for us going into two tough matches.
"If there had been an end-of-season or even pre-season feel to the game, it wouldn't have done us any favours whatsoever."
With an eye on the play-offs, McClaren rotated his squad, with Zak Whitbread, John Eustace, Will Hughes, Simon Dawkins, Patrick Bamford and Conor Sammon coming into the side.
"We've been able to show the strength in depth within the squad and given players the chance to stake a claim and show their worth," said Grant.
"We've got players in this squad who have really deserved opportunities, so it was nice for that to happen. They've certainly earned it."
Whitbread was handed his first start since October in central defence, as Jake Buxton was given a rest.
"I'm working day in, day out in training with all of the defenders and that really helps," said Grant.
"So when you make the transition from the training ground to out there on the pitch on a Saturday, there's no difference.
"I've worked with Zak, Mark O'Brien and all these guys and I've got total confidence that any of them could slip in and do a good job, whether that be in a play-off final or semi-final."
