LAURA Massaro says the lure of a ‘home’ World Championship is what continues to drive her on.

The 32-year-old has no intention of hanging up her racket just yet but says the Manchester showpiece in October next year could either be a ‘swan song or stepping stone’ as she contemplates her future.

The Chorley ace is in the form of her life having won five titles last season including back-to-back World Series events and becoming world number one for the first time in her glittering career.

But Massaro admits she is now at the age where she is taking things 'half-a-season by half-a-season' and is preparing for life off the court when she does finally retire.

"With the World Championships being announced for Manchester at the back end of 2017, it sort of makes me want to keep going," said the Hoghton-based star. "To play in the Worlds at home where hopefully I am seeded in the top four would be amazing.

"But I haven’t set myself a target or a date to retire. It is literally taking it half-a-season by half-a-season.

"So I have one eye on Manchester 2017 and then it will be just be reassessed from there. It could be my swansong or just another stepping stone."

Massaro topped and tailed the 2015/16 season with impressive victories, claiming back-to-back PSA World Series events for the first time - winning the US Open and Qatar Open - before lifting the PSA World Series Finals title in Dubai in May.

She was also crowned National champion for the third time while she kicked off the campaign with success at the Macau Open - prompting comparisons to 2013 when she won the British Open and World Championship for the first time.

"I would definitely say this season is up there with what I did when I won the World Championship and the British Open because the number one spot is amazing because it is something I could tick off the list," said Massaro who also reached the final of the Worlds.

"Also winning those back-to-back World Series events, making the final in Hong Kong and then winning Dubai meant it was so special.

"Even reaching the final of the World Championships, which I lost - I still take it as a massive positive."

Massaro is now back in training for the new season which begins in Hong Kong at the end of August. And she says as long as she continues to improve and can cope with the gruelling gym sessions, she is happy to put her body through it all.

She said: "At the moment I am improving week-in, week-out and as long as I can come down to training and work on things and think that I am still getting better, then I would love to play.

"I guess the problem will be when I come down and don’t know what I am doing and just going through the motions I imagine that would then be reflected in the tournaments."

Despite increasing exposure and growing prize funds, Massaro says she will not continue to play just for the sake of it and, when the time comes, she plans to bow out at the top.

"I wouldn’t play just for the love of the game," she added. "I might play the odd league match or play to keep fit but I wouldn’t play on tour because if I am not winning because there is no point in putting the work and the training in and everything that goes with it.

"I think as long as can still be a contender and as long as I still feel I am in with a shout that I can still cause those top girls problems then that is fine.

"For me, being a squash player is something I love to do. It's certainly not something you’d be quick to quit while you are still playing your best.

"But having said that, I am not just going to carry on just because I am earning a better way than perhaps I would be working a regular job."

Massaro is keen to get in to coaching and commentating when she does finally call time but she is no rush just yet.

"I feel that I am in a position now at 32 and not that far away from retiring over the next three, four or five years however long that is, I can put things in place and start balls rolling," she said. "I’ve got my coaching qualifications and I want to get involved in the commentary side of things.

"Certainly I would like to help the young England players coming through and try and get a little bit more involved with them and pass on some knowledge if I can."