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Gareth Barry wants to stay at West Brom beyond this season

Record-breaking midfielder Gareth Barry is keen to stay at the Baggies beyond the end of this current season.

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Gareth Barry. (AMA)

The 36-year-old expects to finish his career at The Hawthorns and says playing into his 40s like Ryan Giggs is a possibility.

Barry is due to break Giggs’s all-time Premier League appearance record on Monday when he will play his 633rd game in the top tier.

He joined Albion from Everton in the summer in a deal worth £1m in search of regular football because he didn’t want his career to ‘fizzle out’ on the Toffees bench.

The former Villa midfielder signed a one-year contract with an optional second year based on appearances, and he’s targeting more than just the single campaign with the Baggies.

"It’ll probably be one at the end of the season for both parties,” said Barry. “If they’re happy, I’m happy and we’ll go from there. Hopefully it’ll go well this year.

“I’m more than up for staying at West Brom for more than one season. This could possibly be the last challenge of my career.”

Barry has impressed since his arrival in the West Midlands, and has adapted his preparation over the years to prolong his career.

On his arrival, Tony Pulis said he had the ‘heart of a 25-year-old’, and the Baggies boss isn’t the first manager to praise the veteran midfielder’s physique.

When he was asked if he could play into his 40s like Giggs did, Barry admitted: “It’s definitely a possibility.

“I was 32 when I signed for Everton and Roberto Martinez said ‘You’re style of game – you can play until you’re 40’.

“I’m sitting there laughing at him but he was deadly serious, and I still laughed.

“It’s still going to be tough but for a manager to tell me that four or five years ago is a good compliment.”

He started his career as a centre-half in a back three, and also played left-back and left-wing during his time at Villa Park.

But he’s ruled out moving back into defence towards the end of his career.

“A lot of people say that but I’ve had little games here and there playing centre half and I honestly find it a more difficult role to play – even at an experienced age,” he said. "I’m a defensive midfielder or nothing at all.”