Chris Brunt expects Gareth McAuley to enjoy a few more seasons in the Premier League.
McAuley will turn 34 at the end of the year but Brunt doesn’t see his international team mate quitting top flight football anytime soon.
The defender only turned professional at the age of 24 and had to wait until he was 31 to make his Premier League debut.
Brunt believes McAuley’s late arrival into the professional game will help prolong his career and revealed how his fellow countryman is one of the fittest players at the club.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a lad, or of his performances on the pitch,” said Brunt.
“He’s a good friend of mine - and he’s been massive for us.
“From day one, since he stepped into the team, he has been our most consistent player.
“And that’s coming from someone who had never played in the Premier League until he was 31.
“I had known him for a long time and I knew he was a good defender but when it came to the Premier League it was as unknown for me as it was for everybody else, and probably to him as well.
“But he has stepped up and been fantastic for us for the last couple of years, and he’s a great lad to have around as well.
“He’s a fit lad.
“He very rarely misses training and in pre-season he can run all day.
“He’s a bit of a freak and I’d say he’s got at least another couple of years in his locker at this level because he makes it look so easy.
“He’s a fantastic defender.
"When balls go into the box he heads them away and does his job.
“That’s all you ask from your centre-half. You want them to defend, and he’s a big talker and an influence on the pitch as well.
“He seems to work well with Jonas Olsson as well and that’s an important partnership in any team.”
Do you think McAuley can continue in the Premier League for another couple of seasons? Have your say here at Baggies Banter.