Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis knows “time waits for nobody” with his international career now in its closing chapters aged 36 – but he’s determined to keep playing for as long as possible with 100 caps a dream target.

Magennis made his Northern Ireland debut in May 2010 and over 16 years later is still part of the squad under Michael O’Neill.

Bangor native Magennis is the oldest player in O’Neill’s panel for Northern Ireland’s four Nations League fixtures across September and October – where he’ll hope to add further to his cap tally of 89.

Only four players – Steven Davis, Pat Jennings, Aaron Hughes and Jonny Evans – have surpassed 100 appearances for Northern Ireland, while Magennis is also looking to climb his country’s goalscoring charts.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP via Getty Images)

Magennis has netted 12 times for Northern Ireland, putting him joint-sixth on the all-time list, just one behind Billy Gillespie, Colin Clarke and his good friend Davis in joint-third.

With Magennis’ playing career in the final stages, the Stevenage striker has thought about what life looks beyond the pitch, but he remains just as determined as ever to deliver for his country.

"As you get older you think of a multitude of things, I've kids and I'm married, thinking about what you're going to do when you're finished,” he told BBC Sport NI. “If I felt my body was letting me down I'd think about it more, but I'm fit and available, still doing all the sessions and I probably look after myself better now than I did when I was 20.

"That's around the corner but we're creatures of habit, we're used to being told what to do, where to be, what to eat, and when that gets taken away it can be daunting.

"All I've ever known since I was 15/16 is you're Josh Magennis the football, and when that's taken away from you, you're back in the real world and nobody cares, it’s trying to find that identity.

"I've been doing my coaching badges and trying to keep myself busy because when that time comes, it's not like a car crash and I'm ready as much as possible."

Magennis and Paddy McNair are the only two players who represented Northern Ireland at Euro 2016 still in the current squad.

With the likes of teenagers Ceadach O’Neill, Braiden Graham and Kieran Morrison now making their way in the game, Magennis’ experience is undoubtedly valuable for the next generation.

However, Magennis is still looking to play his part on the international stage after scoring twice in seven League One matches this term.

"I'm 36 now but I can't get too attached to that, I get a new number next year,” he added. “Coming to the end of the cycle, we work from summer to summer as footballers so to get the camp in the summer out of the way and to be involved again, looking forward to the Nations League and Euros, is an honour.

"I've had a full pre-season. Last season I struggled, I had hip surgery so was inconsistent through the season, but now I feel fully fit, ready to go and that's reflected in the start to the season I have had.

"It's (playing for Northern Ireland) the best time I've had in my life.

"Most footballers you ask who have played for Northern Ireland, we always say we play for Northern Ireland first and the club second.

"Every situation when my agent phones me about clubs, at the forefront of my mind has always been 'is this going to progress me playing for my country?' because that's all I have ever wanted to do.”