Ben Foster: Gareth McAuley's past helps our present

The Northern Irish centre-back, who turns 37 in December, has played every minute so far this season and scored two goals in the process.

Foster, who joined the Baggies at the same time as McAuley five years ago, reckons his team-mate is still going strong because he hasn't been drilled for hours from an early age by academy coaches.

"He has less miles on the clock," said Foster. "He hasn't done all those hours in the dome and hours on the training pitches at nine, 10, 11, 12 and 13. He hasn't been dragged all over the country to play in academy games."

Albion's keeper also came through the more traditional route of non-league football.

Born in Leamington Spa, he started his career at Racing Club Warwick in the Southern League, and had loan spells at Stafford Rangers and Kidderminster Harriers when he was on Stoke's books.

"I can't say what's best for people but sometimes you see little gems come through like the Jamie Vardy phenomenon last season," he said.

"I don't know whether you appreciate what you've got a little more coming from having to work." McAuley started his career at Linfield in the Northern Irish Football League Premiership before stints in the same divisions with Crusaders and Coleraine.

In 2004 he come over to England and turned full-time at the relatively late age of 25 when he joined Lincoln City in League Two.

He moved up to the Championship in 2006 when he joined Leicester and then signed for Ipswich Town in 2008.

Five years ago he completed his steady climb up the leagues when he joined the Baggies on a free transfer from the Tractor Boys.

More than 180 Albion appearances later, McAuley is still the beating heart of the back four, and an important member of the team.

He wore the captain's armband on Tuesday night with Darren Fletcher on the bench and Jonny Evans rested because of a dead leg.

"He doesn't seem to age," said Foster. "He is absolutely brilliant. I don't think you can even look at his age. It's not something you have to take into account.

"You just watch his performances week in, week out and he has been doing it since I've been here.

"We signed in the same summer. He's been here for five years, the same as I have, and he has just been brilliant from day one.

"He is exactly what you want from a defender.

"If he had signed for one of the big boys five years ago he would have been playing for them for the last five years and done exactly the same thing for them.

"So fair play to him. I'm glad he's in front of me."

McAuley is on a one-year rolling contract at The Hawthorns, but he still feels fighting fit, and has decided to continue playing international football for Northern Ireland.

Michael O'Neill's side kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign in the Czech Republic in nine days' time.

O'Neill was delighted by McAuley's decision, and Pulis voiced praise for his veteran centre-back pairing after Tuesday's dismal defeat at Sixfields.

"I was pleased with Olsson and McAuley, considering their age, what they've done again," he said. "They've been brilliant. They're two great lads.

"They don't want to lose games. I'm disappointed for them because they've worked hard enough to win a game of football."