The Cottagers are nearing the end of a five-week period which has seen them play a match virtually every three days yet defy the workload by continuing to challenge for silverware on two fronts.

They have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup while on Thursday night they humbled 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 match.

But rather than complain about the fixture list, veteran stopper Schwarzer is pleased the matches are arriving thick and fast.

"If you don't enjoy this as a footballer then when are you going to enjoy your football?" the Australian said.

"This is what it's all about, playing games, and playing in Europe and playing in the FA Cup and playing in the Premier League.

"It's the best life to have and I'm enjoying it, at the young and tender age of 37."

Schwarzer, who pulled off a marvellous injury-time save to deny Shakhtar a draw, admits next Thursday's second leg at the Donbass Arena will test Fulham's Europa League ambitions to the limit.

"It's about balance. Okay, we scored two goals on Thursday but we also conceded. Now they only need to score one goal," he said.

"It would have been nice to have won 2-0 ahead and then all of a sudden they've got to score two goals.

"But if we score over there, all of a sudden it changes the picture a little bit. It's going to be tough for us.

"We've got a slightly important Premier League game against Birmingham in between but then hopefully we can go there and continue on the journey that we've been having."