West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley feels he's in the best shape of his career.

Albion's Northern Irishman, who turns 33 later this year, believes that his legs would be starting to go had he come over to England as a teenager, but in contrast he's enjoying being in the shape of his life.

The centre-half was 24 when he joined Lincoln City from Coleraine and only made his Premier League debut last season.

"I feel as fit as I have done since I came into the game late," he told the Sunday Mercury.

"My body has maybe not been battered as much as the other young lads who have been doing it day in day out since they were 16.

"By the time they get to my age they are nearly done.

"(Last season) I played more games than I have for years and I'm looking forward already to getting going again."