Brian O'Driscoll has no idea when he will be ready to retire from rugby but he acknowledges his body will be the one to make the decision.
O'Driscoll has not played since Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup by Wales at the quarter-final stage after deciding to undergo surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury.
His rehabilitation means he will play no part in this year's RBS Six Nations campaign - the first time he has missed the competition in 12 years - but he is targeting a return to competitive action in some capacity before the end of the season.
Although he is now 33, O'Driscoll is planning to continue playing for as long as his body is up to the pressures of professional rugby and he is not ruling out extending his career beyond 2013.
"I wouldn't put any limitations on where I want to go and what I want to achieve," O'Driscoll told Today FM's The Last Word.
"I can definitely see myself playing hopefully at some stage this year, definitely next year and then you just have to listen to how you're feeling, both from a body and mind point of view.
"If you're in decline, I'd like to go out on a high, but if you still have a lot to offer - I certainly feel I'll be around for a little time yet.
"You know what, I'm not putting a final date on when I'm finishing because the body will give up before the mind will."