NEC Harlequins blindside flanker Andre Vos believes the time would be right for him to retire, should his side secure Guinness Premiership survival this season.

The 31-year-old South African has been back to his best since stepping down as skipper, with the Stoop outfit winning five of their past seven outings.

Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has led calls for director of rugby Dean Richards to open talks with the former captain over extending his current one-year contract.

But Vos could step aside for the sake of Quins' young guns.

"I'm really enjoying my rugby at the moment. It is a difficult decision to make because you are a long time retired, he said this week.

"I haven't really given it much thought. It will probably be my last year but then again, you never say never.

"I've always said I want to go out on a high and at the top of my game. Keeping Quins in the Premiership would fit that.

"You need to think of the young guys here and trying to compete with them is becoming more difficult.

"I'm playing with some fantastic young loose forwards at Quins and holding their progress back because I'm here wouldn't be right."

Vos has made no secret of his plan to move into the business world when he ends a glittering rugby career, which saw him capped 33 times by his country - 16 times as captain.

Rumours have circulated he will be involved with the South African coaching set-up for the 2007 World Cup.

But Vos insists the curtain on his 11-year career will come down in Twichenham.

"When I finish it will be a clean break and rumours about the World Cup are just that. If I continue playing it will be for Quins, I can't see me playing anywhere else," he added.

Vos was rested for the EDF Energy Cup defeat at Newcastle Falcons on Saturday to prepare for a crunch month for Quins.

Starting at the Stoop this Saturday, Richards' side face back-to-back European Challenge Cup ties against Bath - when two wins should give a passage to the knockout stages - before facing Saracens, Worcester and Newcastle in the Premiership in the space of 24 days.

"We have four huge games in the next 19 days and everyone is focused on the importance of them in relation to the rest of the year," he said "It is a period, which could make or break our season."

Two tries from academy winger Adam Thompstone couldn't prevent Quins going down to a 21-18 defeat at the Falcons.

The 19-year-old helped to give his side a 15-14 lead at the break, but returning fly-half Andrew Mehrtens missed a late chance to level the scores for Quins, who had made 12 changes for the match.