Rob Gronkowski has revealed that he is optimistic of staying injury-free to play the "whole season" in 2014.
The New England Patriots tight end has missed 14 regular-season games in the last two seasons, and is currently recovering from surgery after he tore two knee ligaments last campaign.
The 25-year-old told ESPN: "I'm planning on playing the whole season this year. I'm always antsy to get back on the field, no matter when it is. I just want to play football. I love playing the game.
"I'm just working with the trainers right now, improving every single day and whenever it starts up, whatever the trainers have, whatever the coaches have for me, whatever we feel comfortable with [we'll be] doing as much as possible every day that I can do."
Gronkowski, who has previously said that he expects to be ready for the start of the season, had 592 receiving yards and four touchdowns during his seven appearances for the AFC East side last season.