John Terry says the end will come soon for his career – but for now he wants to battle on for his own future and that of his family.

The Chelsea captain put in a commanding performance at Wembley on Sunday to lift the League Cup.

But the stalwart is out of contract at the end of the season, and with both him and the club still stalling on a new deal, Terry says football at 40 won't be an option.

Still learning: Chelsea's John Terry during training

In the most revealing words yet from the 'Captain, Leader, Legend' on his future, Terry said: “I think the manager [ Jose Mourinho ] has come in and sat me down and made it very clear from the outset – work hard, you'll get extra years, and you'll be in the side. If not, other players are fighting for their place. And with this year roll-on (contract) – that's what it's about.

“I'm fighting for my future, for my family's future as well, and just with that in mind – I just want to give everything. I don't know how long I've got left. Hopefully I've got a few years left in me. But if not, if this is my last, I hope it'll go out on a bang.”

After a career that has seen his body battered and bruised, playing on through pain, Terry dismissed talk that like Milan legends Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini he could play on into his 40s.

Silverware: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and John Terry hug after winning the Capital One Cup

“I'm not too sure,” he said. “If I'm honest I'll take... you know, at the start my career as a player, you want to get to 35 and kind of happy with that.

“Certainly, when I first came into football. But I think that's completely changed. I think players, look at Lamps, Stevie G – you know, you can play on for a few years longer.

“So I've kind of got my target set on next year. That's my initial target.

Goal! Chelsea's John Terry celebrates with Gary Cahill and Diego Costa after scoring

“I think beyond that, two or three more years, I don't know. And playing at the top, I think there's a right time to go as well.

“Certainy, I'm feeling great at the minute. It'd be the wrong time to go for me. But I think there does come a point in your career when you have to say it's time to go, it's time to move on and people remember you that way.”

On the prospects of a new deal with Chelsea , Terry admitted the matter was out of his hands.

Pumped: Chelsea's John Terry and Eden Hazard

He said: “You know, not having the four or five years [left in your career] as you get older, the roles reverse.

“It's the power in the club's hands. I think that's definitely inspired me to prove people wrong.

“And, as I say, fighting for myself and for my family – it doesn't come much bigger than that really for me."