New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has claimed that his future career depends on staying injury free during the upcoming NFL season.

Nicks has failed to complete a full season in his four years as a professional player so far, with injury thwarting his progress on each occasion.

The 25-year-old believes that maintaining his fitness and playing all 16 games in the 2013 campaign is of vital importance to both himself and the franchise.

"It's important. My career counts on it, this season counts on it. The offence, just being what I am to the team, I think it is going to make a big difference," he told reporters.

"This is a critical season for me. I just look at it like I am going out here to play ball. Stay healthy, change my diet a little bit, those are things that I am focused on.

"I just want to have fun and win every game if we can. That is the main focus."

Nicks has recorded 25 touchdowns in his impressive short career so far and helped the Giants to success in the 2011 Super Bowl.