I’m not the retiring type says Barry

ALBION midfielder Gareth Barry is using former Villa team-mate Peter Crouch as age-old inspiration.

Crouch secured a route back to the Premier League last month when Burnley signed him from Championship Stoke – at the grand old age of 38.

And Barry, who turns the same age later this month, hopes to set up a reunion with his old pal by clinching promotion with the Baggies.

“I’m made up for Crouchy, I spent a bit of time at Villa with him,” he said.

“For me, that’d be brilliant – West Brom in the Premier League and me playing there again.”

Barry, who by his own admission was disappointing in the 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday, hasn’t given retirement a second thought.

The Premier League’s record appearance maker, who has been backed to play into his forties by former Albion colleague Harvey Barnes, says there’s plenty left in the tank.

“I am pleased personally, the body feels good,” he said. “I’m getting the odd niggle here and 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.

“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 see what happens.”

Sam Field and Rekeem Harper, who played alongside Barry against Boro, are at the opposite end of their careers. Barry, capped 53 times by England, likes what he’s seen of the two academy products.

“I’ve been very impressed,” 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.”