James Milner says he is "pretty open" to extending his playing career beyond this season, but the Brighton midfielder is undecided on whether he will sign a new deal.

The 40-year-old became the Premier League's record appearance maker last weekend, stepping out for the 654th time in the division during Brighton's 2-0 win at Brentford.

Fabian Hurzeler said last month he hoped Milner, who surpassed Gareth Barry's previous record, would remain with the Seagulls for a further season, with his current contract set to expire in June.

While the former England international would be tempted, he said he was currently weighing up the next step.

"I think things change very quickly in football, and I think when you get to my age, things change very quickly as well," he said.

"When I look at where I was last year – not being able to lift my foot for six months – to where I am this year, and even where I was maybe six weeks ago where I wasn't playing too many minutes and things weren't going too well, you're frustrated.

"But then I've played more minutes in the last two games and when you're part of a win, it's easier to turn around and say: 'Yes, I'd love to do another year'.

"I'm pretty open at this moment in time. Whether I will or whether I won't [continue playing], I'm not sure. We haven't had any conversations, so obviously the club have to be interested as well.

"I said earlier in the season: 'let's get to February and see where we're at', and I know we're there now, so we'll see what happens.

"At this moment in time, I'm just doing my work every day, and things can change quickly. At this moment in time, I'm very open to it, and hopefully, the last few games have proved that I can still contribute on the field."

Milner, in the twilight of his 24-year professional career, knows retirement is not too far away, and is undecided as to what he will do after finally hanging up his boots.

"I think it's a tough question to know when's the right time, because I feel like I can still do it now," he added.

"But do you get to the point where you can't? Is that too long? I finished the game at the weekend and some of the boys went: 'you can't retire this year, you've got to go again next year'. So I think that's always a tough decision to get the right time.

"I feel like the coaching side I've been exposed to, in terms of a bit last year here and the badges I've done, interest me at times.

"But Jurgen [Klopp] always said, whenever you finish, you need to have a rest and a break straight away, and I think that's pretty appealing at this moment in time."

"Sometimes, [management] appeals to me, for sure. And then other times, you see managers getting a new contract and getting sacked in two months, and I just don't think people get the time they deserve now.

"I feel like I've got a fantastic knowledge of people I've worked under from back to Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson, and then you go through to the current manager now. So in one way I think it'd be a big shame to lose all that knowledge and experience I've built up to not be able to use that."