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The Chelsea vice-captain believes the England side should be picked on individual merit suggesting the fact that he'll be 36 by Brazil 2014 shouldn't matter

England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard does not believe his age should be a defining factor in determining his participation in the 2014 World Cup.

Lampard will earn his 91st cap on Wednesday night when he captains a young Three Lions side in an international friendly against Italy in Berne.

The Blues vice-captain, who missed Euro 2012 through injury, will be 36-years-old by the time the 2014 World Cup in Brazil takes place and assuming Hodgson's side qualifies believes that it should be on-field performances alone which determine whether he should be selected ahead of younger candidates.

"I've said all along I wouldn't want to be hanging around to try and win 100 caps for the wrong reasons," Lampard told reporters.

"In an ideal world it would be great to be involved all the way through (to Brazil)."

"If you are playing at a level that shows regardless of age you deserve to be in there, then you should be in there.

"I do want to play for my country. I'm pleased to be amongst a young squad here. I did feel old when I saw the ages on the list for this match.

"I don't know whether I'll be in the squad in two years. I don't think anyone should know. The competition needs to be fierce and young players need to come through.

"The aim is to take the strongest squad to Brazil and I'll do what I can to be in that squad."

"I think your position should be under threat all the time if you are not performing at a certain level.

"Maybe it is the same when you talk about a 17-year-old and whether they are ready to go to a major tournament. If they show enough, then you put them in.

"When you get to the other end of the spectrum, it is the same."

Despite now entering the final years of his football career the 34-year-old is adamant that he has not ever considered retiring from the international stage believing he still has a valuable contribution to make.

"Personally I didn't feel the urge to. I want to carry on playing. I wouldn't say it was something I would never do."

"But while I feel I can give something, I'll try and do it. The last thing I want to be is an old man looking back and feeling I left a little something on the table.

"If I can keep my level of performance up to make a difference for Chelsea and England, then I'll be very happy with that."