Brad Friedel insists he is far more interested in picking up three points against Fulham on Saturday than he is in breaking the Premier League consecutive appearance record.

The USA shot-stopper is set to surpass David James by playing in his 167th successive top-flight game when Roy Hodgson's side visit Villa Park.

But the former Blackburn man insists football is a 'team sport' and believes individual honours are not important.

He told AVTV: "It will be a decent achievement but I haven't thought about it much on a personal level because we compete in a team sport.

"I think we have a duty as players to stay as fit as possible and keep our form as high as we can.

"I have been fortunate with injuries, touch wood, and when I have got the odd knock it has always seemed to coincide with international breaks.

"Since I retired from international football, I have managed to rest up between domestic games too.

"Is it nice that I have been able to get a run of games? Yes absolutely. But I hope to have many more games ahead of me.

"I have never appeared in a game hoping to attain an appearance record.

"I appear because I am under contract to play football and I love football. I want to go out and try and help my team get the three points or advance in cup competitions.

"It really hadn't entered my mind until recently when the statisticians have said I have a chance to break the record.

"I always accept individual awards humbly and it would be pleasing to get one. But we are in a team sport.

"I would be more pleased to get into the Champions League or win a cup competition than pick up an individual honour.

"I think, well I would hope, that every footballer feels the same way."