Gareth Barry targets adding to his Premier League games record with West Brom next season

The veteran midfielder, who turns 38 later this month, is feeling good having already played 20 games for the Baggies this season.

After 38-year-old Peter Crouch returned to the top tier last week, Barry is keen to follow in his footsteps and add to his record 653 appearances in the Premier League.

“I’m made up for Crouchy, I spent a bit of time at Villa with him,” said Barry. “For me, that’d be brilliant, West Brom in the Premier League and me playing there again.”

Despite nearing his 850th senior game, Barry is not thinking about retiring, although he will naturally reassess in the summer.

“Not yet,” he said. “If I was 28 I’d be taking it a season at a time, see where your career is and make decisions then.

“Hopefully it’s promotion for West Brom and then we’ll see what happens. I am pleased personally, the body feels good.

“If I can stay injury free (who knows?) I’m getting just the odd niggle here or there which is going to happen, you can’t hide away from that.

“But apart from that the body doesn’t feel 38 so I’ll keep going as long as I can.”

Barry has recently been playing in midfield alongside youngsters Rekeem Harper, 18, and Sam Field, 20.

The former England international made his senior debut for Villa before Harper was born, but he thinks Albion’s future is bright.

“I’ve been very impressed, not just recently because they’ve broken into the team but all season really,” he said.

“They’ve had to be patient, but they’ve kept their attitude spot on, trained really well and waited for their chance.

“For me, over the past few weeks they’ve really taken it. They’re another good option for the manager.”

Barry now faces more competition in midfield following the signing of Stefan Johansen on deadline day.

The Fulham loanee arrived alongside Jefferson Montero and Jacob Murphy, and Barry was pleased with the club’s business.

“I don’t think any arguments can be made there,” he said. “We’ve done good business, we’ve had a couple of injuries and Harvey (Barnes) has had to go back so the players were needed ahead of a tough schedule.

“Let’s hope the boys who have come in can hit the ground running.

“Our target is still to get the top two, we’re not thinking play-offs or settling for that.

“Our target is to chase the top two teams and be in there at the end of the season.

“We need to be on a run of winning games, whether that be four, five, six. If you do put a run like that together you’re going to shoot right up. We’ve got to be ruthless and take that approach.”

With one win in five games, Albion have failed to capitalise on some indifferent form from those above them and Barry reckons the promotion race could go all the way to the wire.

“I’d be surprised if a team does run away with it,” he said. “There’s no stand-out team like Wolves last year.

“That is our target, let’s put that run together and you’ll be top of the pile.”