Everton captain Phil Neville has insisted that he can continue playing in the Premier League for another three years.

The 35-year-old also said that he hasn't thought about retiring and pointed towards the scientific advancements that allow players to retire at an older age.

Neville told the club's official website: "I worked quite hard over the summer. I went on holiday but I trained at a facility for a couple for weeks. That is par for the course now. Particularly when you are getting older, you have to stay ahead of the game. At the clinics I went to over the summer to do my training I learned that age is just a number.

"I want to play football for as long as I possibly can: two, three more years hopefully at the top level. The way that science is improving now players can play for as long as they possibly can. I think it is your mind which goes before your body and once your mind goes you can't make that back up.

"I'm quite a positive person. People say only look for this season but I am thinking, 'Let's look for another three years'. But I have to remain fit, strong and keep playing well to keep my position in the team."

Neville joined Everton in 2005 for £3.5m.