England midfielder Michael Carrick has admitted that he hopes to continue representing his country beyond the 2014 World Cup.
The Manchester United man looked as if he had retired from the international game in May 2012 before being recalled into the squad by manager Roy Hodgson in August of the same year.
Carrick, who will be turning 33 years old following the next major tournament in Brazil, is confident that he can carry on playing for the Three Lions until Euro 2014.
"The World Cup is the next big opportunity, a massive opportunity," Carrick told reporters. "But in terms of it being my last one, I wouldn't say so. I haven't thought this is my last one. You never know what's round the corner.
"You look at [Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes] and they are the perfect example. I'm not saying I could do what they've done because it's extreme. Even Rio [Ferdinand], people were saying two or three years ago he wasn't far off finishing and were questioning him, but he's kept going and is still as strong as ever.
"You can find a way with experience of managing yourself and getting the best out of yourself in the later years."
Carrick is part of the England side that will face Moldova and Ukraine in World Cup qualifiers on Friday and Tuesday respectively.
Matt Cotton
