Stewart will be 43 at the next World Cup in 2007

England's Alec Stewart is urging selectors to blood a new wicket-keeper in one-day internationals.

The 40-year-old said it was not a statement of definite retirement from the one-day game.

But the Surrey star believed younger players should be picked ahead of him with the 2007 World Cup in mind.

Stewart told BBC Sport: "Realistically in 2007, when I will be nearly 44, I will not be playing one-day international cricket, probably not any cricket.

It's not a definite retirement, it's just my belief that's the way the selectors should go Alec Stewart

"This gives the opportunity for selectors to blood some new players, to look to the future and plan for the World Cup which hopefully we will win.

"It's not a definite retirement, it's just my belief that's the way the selectors should go."

Stewart has played in 170 one-day internationals and is hungry to continue his Test career.

His successor will have a hard act to follow.

Names being tipped for an England call-up include Nottinghamshire's Chris Read, Essex's James Foster and Glamorgan's Mark Wallace.

Read, 24, has played in three Tests and nine one-day internationals for England and was part of the squad for the VB series in Australia at the end of last year although he never played.

Foster seemed to be Stewart's natural successor but a broken arm at the start of last season and a fractured thumb last July cost him his England place.

The Essex wicket-keeper has played in seven Tests and 11 ODIs for England.

Wallace became Glamorgan's youngest ever wicket-keeper in Championship cricket when he made his first-class debut against Somerset at Taunton in 1999, at age of 17 years and 287 days.

He was selected as the England Academy wicket-keeper over the winter .