BRAD Friedel is closing in on the Premier League record for consecutive appearances - and it's all thanks to yoga!

Over the last three years, the evergreen Blackburn Rovers keeper has become a yoga addict, after being introduced to the ancient spiritual practice by one of his closest friends in football.

And the 36-year-old, who is hoping to make his 178th consecutive appearance for Rovers at West Ham United tomorrow, reckons the twice-daily sessions are helping to prolong his career.

"I must say, since I started doing yoga three years ago it's had a huge impact on the way my body feels," said Friedel.

"Barry Venison put me onto it initially and it's just something I dive into.

"I do it on my own now but I couldn't do it on my own to begin with because you need to learn all the techniques.

"I do it twice a day, every day, in the mornings and the evenings, and the length of the sessions just depends on how I'm feeling, and how many games we've got that week.

"Sometimes you need a long session, and other times just a short one. Sometimes you need a meditation session, as opposed to a physical session.

"It can take 20 minutes or an hour and a half. It just depends on how my body is feeling."

Friedel is one of only three players who have played in every single minute of their teams' games in the Premier League this season, the others being Stephen Kelly at Birmingham and Reading's Marcus Hahnemann.

In fact, the former United States international has not missed a Premier League game for Rovers since May 2004, when Peter Enckelman took his place in goal for a 1-1 draw with Birmingham at Ewood Park.

Since then, Friedel has racked up an astonishing 143 consecutive appearances in the top-flight, which puts him within striking distance of the record held by Frank Lampard (164).

It's an amazing feat of endurance by a player who shows no outward signs of being affected by the ageing process, and the imposing American firmly believes he can play on into his 40s at the highest level "To be honest with you, I'm not thinking about the record," said the former Liverpool stopper.

"I just try to keep myself in the best shape possible so I'm available for selection for every game.

"As a professional footballer, you sign a contract and try to play as many games as possible, and I'm just trying to do that.

"Then if I keep myself fit, hopefully the manager will pick me."

Aside from the twice-daily yoga sessions, Friedel is also careful about what he eats and how he generally looks after his body in between matches.

"There's no secret to it but it does take hard work and a little bit of discipline," he said.

"Everybody's body is different and you have to know what to put into it, and how to treat to.

"Doing yoga helps me to feel more supple and I think that's one of the reasons why I've been so lucky with injuries."

Revered as one of the finest goalkeepers ever to grace the Premier League, Friedel has proved to be an outstanding servant for Rovers since he joined eight years ago on a free transfer from Liverpool.

In total, he has clocked up 347 appearances for the club and, after recently signing a new contract until the summer of 2010, he remains as focused as ever.

He added: "I've signed for this year plus two more, and I intend to play for as long as I can - until the legs just won't do it anymore."