The 38-year-old Australia international has enjoyed another solid campaign at the Cottagers, having previously been a summer target for title-chasers Arsenal. Schwarzer highlighted Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the season, as an inspiration but he expects to compete beyond the age of 40. "I don't think there is any age where you could say a goalkeeper can't play anymore," Schwarzer told the News of the World. "You just have to set yourself goals. In the back of my mind I'm looking at the 2014 World Cup - I'll be 41. "Players like Edwin van der Sar have shown that at 40 you can still play at the top level. I've got no immediate plans to retire at all." Schwarzer revealed a healthy diet, coupled with appropriate training, has allowed him to prolong his career and can see no signs of fatigue in the near future. He said: "People in my boat always say that they feel like they're 21 years old. That's obviously not the case but I don't get out of bed feeling sore. "In fact, I feel better after games now than throughout my career. I'm in the gym four days a week. I do a lot of weight training, conditioning and strengthening work. "I've changed what I eat and when I eat it - it's not rocket science. I don't eat carbohydrates too late and have added more protein and vegetables to my diet." With Schwarzer in top form, understudy David Stockdale has been forced to bide his time on the bench, despite offering plenty of promise when called upon. Schwarzer has no doubts about Stockdale's ability, but has urged the 25-year-old to force his way to number one patiently, as every goalkeeper must do. "People have asked me about stepping aside for the younger generation but I have the same mindset I had when I started playing," said the former Middlesbrough keeper. "No one stepped aside and gave me a chance, I had to earn it. You need to earn that shirt."
