Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has hailed veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as a credit to his profession.
Over 24 years after making his professional debut for Sydney-based Marconi Stallions in Australia's now defunct National Soccer League, the 42-year-old Schwarzer is poised to roll back the years again on Saturday.
After recently joining Leicester from Chelsea on an 18-month deal, Schwarzer is likely to make his debut for the Foxes in an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Spurs, replacing Ben Hamer.
It is remarkable Pearson finds himself managing Schwarzer 17 years after they played alongside one another at Middlesbrough, and with the seasons not having changed him.
Assessing Schwarzer's impact following his arrival, Pearson said: "He has been fantastic. For someone to be as focused and driven as he is, at his tender age, is quite remarkable. If you want to pigeon-hole situations, players either finish because they are physically unable to go further or they lose the motivation to continue to play at the top end.
"For him to have continued to perform at the highest level is a credit to him as a person, and having seen him in training he is excellent. As a character he has always been well spoken and can be outspoken, and I don't mean that as a negative.
"He's somebody who has a clear idea of right and wrong and what his opinions are. That's very healthy. I've seen him at one or two social functions and he has always come across the same way -- a very ordinary kind of guy, and that's one of the nicest compliments I can pay anyone.
"He is normal, someone who has not fallen for some of the dumb moves some people have made in terms of being in love with being a footballer, rather than being a footballer. That's credit to him.''
Pearson sees no reason why Schwarzer cannot continue playing until well into his 40s given both his physical attributes and character.
"Hopefully he can carry on for one more year after this as that's how long he is here for,'' added Pearson. "At his age, to have the personal drive and focus to still be as good as he can be and understand psychologically what he needs, is amazing.
"Goalkeepers' bodies take so many knocks in any given training day, let alone games. Games are hardest mentally, but repetition on the physical side of things is there too.
"To do that day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year -- playing international football as well -- is quite remarkable. It is about still being able to perform, and he can do that.''