James Anderson has no immediate plans to retire and would like to continue playing till he is 40. The England pace spearhead, and country's highest Test wicket-taker, was recently ruled out of the Ashes 2019 due to a calf injury at the age of 37. 

"I'm going to look into how [Manchester United legend] Ryan Giggs was able to play football at the highest level until he was 40. That's what I'd like to do," Anderson wrote in The Sun.

"I am meeting the physios and medical people this week to map out a programme to try to make sure I'm fit for the tour to New Zealand. The Test squad leaves on November 6."

"I'm 37 now, and it definitely feels possible to play until I'm 40, if the hunger is still there. And it certainly is at the moment."

Anderson feels good about his body and is confident of overcoming injury hurdles at this stage of his illustrious career. 

"I bowled loads for Lancashire with terrific rhythm and even played some one-day cricket for the county. My first-class bowling average was below ten."

"I have plenty in the tank especially after this last couple of months of rehab. I feel stronger than I have for many years because of all the training and fitness work. Obviously, I need to get this calf sorted out. That’s my next priority," he added. 

Anderson also backed Joe Root to continue as England skipper despite widespread criticism of him having conceded the Ashes to Australia after a chastening defeat at Old Trafford last week. 

"There are some mutterings about Joe's future as captain. But I think he is doing a very good job. We've had a couple of tough years, especially since Cooky [Alastair Cook] retired and we've been trying to find a couple of opening batsman," he concluded. 

(Inputs from The Sun)