FORMER England international Phil Dowson admits he has started to plan for life after rugby but is adamant he can still “make a difference” in the Aviva Premiership.

And the influential forward insists he has “no desire” to leave Worcester Warriors as he aims to extend his playing career.

Since joining from Northampton Saints in 2015, the 35-year-old back row has skippered the side at times in the absence of club captain GJ van Velze this season, including in Saturday's 55-19 thrashing at local rivals Gloucester.

But Dowson revealed he had “not sorted out” a new contract as his existing deal ends in the summer and said the decision over his future rested with head coach Carl Hogg.

“You have to plan for the end but there is no finite point I'm aiming for,” he said.

“The end happens when the coach says, ‘You’re not selected and there is no contract for you'.

“You have plans afterwards with businesses and education.

“But you have to go flat-out and full-on until somebody says, ‘That’s not good enough’, and then you get binned — that’s how it works.

“You would have to speak to Hoggy and ask, ‘How long has Dows got?’ He may say two weeks, two months or two years.

“I have not sorted my contract out but I have got no desire to leave so it depends on what Hoggy, Simon Cross, Sam Vesty and Mefin Davis say.

“They are in charge of that. All I can do is play well and they will make a decision based on that.

“I feel very fit and healthy and I can make a difference at this level.”

The ex-Newcastle Falcons player said 37-year-old lock Donncha O’Callaghan was also a “big inspiration” in his bid to continue playing, describing him as a “very motivational character”.

Dowson conceded he has had “poor halves” in matches this season but vowed to continue to prove his worth.

“My performances have been mixed, not dissimilar to the team,” he said.

“I have had good halves and poor halves where I have slipped off a few tackles or not been quite as dominant with my carrying as possible.

“But I have worked my tail off as always and I am always positive there is another game around the corner where I can prove my worth and hopefully get on the front foot.”

With Warriors hovering just one place and one point above the relegation zone, Dowson said he was also determined to fulfil his own goals at the club.

“There is a lot of talent in the squad and we are not where I think we should be which is frustrating,” he added.

“But at the same time that is the challenge I want to get stuck into. I feel there is lots more to do.

“But I am confident if we can put a run of games together the whole situation will look different.”