James Milner has opened up over the freak knee surgery complication that left him unable to move his foot for months and fearing he would not walk normally, let alone return to football.

The 39-year-old Brighton midfielder made an emotional comeback as a late substitute at Tottenham on Sunday after nine months out – it took him to 638 Premier League ­appearances; Gareth Barry holds the competition record with 653.

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Milner has it in his sights because he is close to signing a one-year contract extension, with the Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, making it clear that he values his experience and leadership.

However, Milner was more keen to reflect on the journey he has taken since being forced off at Arsenal last August in the third game of the league season. He needed a knee reconstruction and the idea was for him to return in early December. That was before he sustained nerve damage to a tendon during the procedure.

“After the operation, I couldn’t lift my foot or my toes,” Milner said. “December 31 was the first time I saw any flicker of life. It [the complication] wasn’t age-related. It was just a bit of bad luck – one in however many thousand.

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“There was a chance I might not have come back at all. I didn’t know whether I could walk properly again let alone play football. I don’t think many people would have come back from this. The medical staff have been incredible, Sean Duggan [the Brighton physiotherapist] has been absolutely unbelievable. We worked hard and the hard work’s paid off. To be part of it on the pitch again made it all worthwhile.”

Milner was asked whether any medics had told him he might have to retire. “Nobody said quit the game,” he replied. “There were obviously doubts from some people that I would get back but nobody said quit it. Not many people have had this and with my age it was highly unlikely I would get back. But I think that was one of the things that drove me most.”

Milner turns 40 in January and he is determined to have an impact next season in what would be his 24th in the Premier League. This time out, he became the first player to play in 23 seasons in the competition. He made his debut for Leeds as a 16-year-old at West Ham in November 2002.

“I would like to keep playing,” he said. “I’ve definitely got another year left in me. We’re in talks with the club and quite close so it will be nice to be here and be part of the team and help the boys.”