And the Arsenal veteran hopes it is a "long, long time" before he decides to end his England career.

The 39-year-old was guilty of a major blunder in the recent 2-2 draw against Macedonia, allowing Artim Sakiri to score direct from a corner.

That error, coming after a glaring gaffe against Brazil in the World Cup, led to renewed calls for him to stand down from the international scene.

But Seaman, who has also been criticised for recent performances for Arsenal, has comprehensively rejected the suggestion.

Asked if he was tempted to quit after the tide of recent criticism, Seaman told the BBC: "No way. I am not tempted at all. That is the way I feel.

"Things like that don't bother me that much to make a decision like that."

Seaman won his 75th cap against Macedonia, a month into his 40th year.

By the time the 2004 European Championships come round he will be 41, but does not envisage stepping down in the near future.

"Everybody says you always know when the time is right," he added. "Hopefully that time is a long, long way away - who knows?"

Seaman insists he is not affected by the seemingly incessant criticism aimed in his direction.

"All I can do is just get on with it and play my game," he added. "It is not the end of the world. When I finish football I go home to a happy family."

Seaman also stepped into the recent racism row that blighted England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Slovakia.

Clamp down

The keeper witnessed England team-mates Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey receiving abuse and believes police should clamp down harder on the culprits.

"It is getting worse," Seaman said. "It was quite bad 10 or 15 years ago and it seemed to be sorted out at home and abroad.

"But I notice it is coming back and we have got to do something about it.

"It is the same with hooliganism. Police would go and get certain people out and people watching would think, 'I am not going to do that.'

"That has got to be the start of it - singling these people out. The bigger picture is national identity badges."