The Australian veteran left Melbourne Victory to return to the UK recently to be alongside his wife during her mother's illness. The situation has led to speculation linking Kewell with a host of English clubs, as well as talk of retirement.

"Everyone has asked me, 'what are you doing' and all this and that and the thing is, when does an athlete ever realise it's time to pack it in?” Kewell told AAP.

"If they truly love a sport, they will keep going until, I don't know, they are 50 I suppose. I still feel confident. I still feel I've got another two or three years at a very high level and we just have to wait and see."

The Aussie attacker has been linked with Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Swindon Town, the latter though ruled themselves out of the race for his signature earlier in the week. Kewell added that he was still only “talking” with clubs despite the new season being not far away.

"I've got some positive feedback but, the way it stands, I've got to be patient," Kewell said. "At the moment, things are - we are talking. And we just have to sort out a few things but I'm open to a lot of suggestions at the moment."

He added: "Everyone is in pre-season now and you do want to be part of that. My fitness is fine. I think I proved that last time I was with the Australian team and Holger (Osieck) actually turned around and said he was impressed with it.”