BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes he can follow in the footsteps of David Seaman and play into his 40s.

The 34-year-old American says he has never felt more refreshed going into a new season than he does right now.

And he puts that new lease of life down to his decision to quit international football in February, a move he believes will help to prolong his career in the Premiership.

The former Liverpool stopper is already in negotiations with Rovers about signing a contract extension that will take him up to the age of 37.

But Friedel believes he can play on at the highest level beyond even that, and he cites former England and Arsenal goalkeeper Seaman as the perfect example of what can be achieved if you look after yourself in the correct manner.

"Can I play on until I'm 40? Who knows? I'd like to see if I can take it until I'm 37 and then go year by year from there," said Friedel.

"If I can get to that stage then that would be fantastic. David Seaman was 39 or 40 when he played in a World Cup so anything is possible.

"Goalkeepers do tend to go on longer than outfield players anyway, so it's just a case of keeping on top of your fitness.

"The older you get, it does take you that little bit longer to recover if you pick up an injury, so you do have to look after your body, which I do.

"I know there's players who look after their bodies far worse than I do and they've played on well into their 40s.

"At the end of the day, it's a game and I love playing the game.

"If I can play on into my 40s then fantastic, and if I can't then fantastic as well."

News of Friedel's desire to extend his career will come as music to the ears of all Blackburn fans because the Cleveland-born goalkeeper is arguably as popular now as he has ever been.

He joined Rovers in November 2000 on a free from Liverpool and within weeks of his arrival, he quickly established himself as a firm fans' favourite after wrestling the number one jersey from John Filan and Alan Kelly.

Nearly five years on and 206 appearances later, Friedel is widely regarded as one of the finest keepers in the Premiership, if not the world.

And had he not decided to quit international football earlier this year then, in all likelihood, he would be looking forward to the prospect of taking part in his fourth World Cup finals with the United States here in Germany next summer.

However, the Ewood number one felt the time was right for him to quit the national team and plough all his energies into his club career.

It was a big decision to make, but it's not one he looks back on with any tinge of regret.

"Since I retired from international football, I feel the freshest this pre-season that I have in five or six years because I'm getting better rest," said Friedel.

"And it's not just physical rest either, it's the mental rest as well.

"I've now got more time to spend with my family and to do the things that I want to do.

"Don't get me wrong, I still worked out all summer long, as I always do, and the older you get, the more important it becomes to stay on top of your fitness.

"But there's no mental anguish now. You don't have to think in two days' time I'm going to be flying off to play in Mexico City where we have to win a qualifier, and we have to do this and that.

"Instead, I could go out running on the beach this summer and the biggest thing I had to worry about was watching the dolphins go by, so it's a completely different mental state, which is great.

"So I think I've made the correct decision because it may help to prolong my professional career for many, many years.

"In goalkeeping terms, I'm still only young at 34. But, right now, I feel like a 26 or 27-year-old going out for training, which is fantastic."