West Ham boss Davis Moyes feels Pablo Zabaleta is improving with age.
Many felt the Argentinian full-back was past his prime when he left Manchester City last summer, but the 33-year-old has thrived in a wing-back role since Moyes took over the Hammers in November.
Zabaleta, a terrace hero at City, will line up against his old club and the new champions at the London Stadium – where he is also fast approaching cult status – on Sunday.
Moyes said: “I think Zabaleta has improved from the first month we got here.
“I hate saying it but I think he has hardly made a mistake since that period, he’s been very, very good.
“He has been incredibly consistent and maybe the change of system has helped him a little, and made it so he’s not been quite so isolated.
“He hasn’t missed a game through injury and I don’t know if he’s even missed a day’s training since I’ve been here.
“It shows what it is to be a professional and look after yourself and be ready for every game.
“He takes the senior pro role well because we talk to him about what we’re doing, how it’s going, and he’s improved by us making our training higher intensity. I think it’s helped him.
“There’s a saying that the older you get the harder you have to train, because the younger ones are all catching you and if you want to stay in the game you’ve got to be at it even harder.
“I think the best example you could look at is Cristiano Ronaldo. Even though he is ageing he continues to be remarkable, he keeps himself lean and hungry and wants to score.
“Zabaleta for us is a good role model.”
Hammers captain Mark Noble is expected to be fit despite carrying a knock this week. Joe Hart is ineligible to face his parent club so Spanish goalkeeper Adrian gets another chance.