LONDON: Frank Lampard’s flurry of goals for club and country since returning from injury in December have given the midfielder fresh hope of extending his Chelsea contract and prolonging his England career.

“The World Cup is certainly a target for me and I will try to keep playing at a good enough level to get there,” Lampard was quoted as saying in British media on Friday.

“It’s a target. I won’t retire from England before that, put it that way,” added Lampard, who scored the winner in the 2-1 friendly international victory over Brazil on Wednesday.

“If I can continue playing for Chelsea and contributing here with England, whether it’s starting or not, and as a valuable squad member, and do my bit when I play, then the World Cup is getting a bit nearer.”

According to Lampard’s agent, the 34-year-old player was told by the European champions late last year that under no circumstances would he be offered a contract extension at the end of the season.

Lampard, who joined in 2001 and whose contract runs out in June, is the London club’s second highest goal-scorer with 197 strikes and is closing on Bobby Tambling’s record of 202.

The midfielder, who has scored nine times for club and country in his last 14 games, also has 27 international goals in his 94 England caps.