Gareth Barry has been tipped to play until he is 40 and create a potentially unbeatable new appearance record.

West Brom’s ex-England star is 36 and made his 632nd Premier League appearance today at home to West Ham.

The left-footed maestro, signed from Everton in August, climbs level with Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs at the summit of the appearance stats.

But former Aston Villa team-mate, and close pal, Stiliyan Petrov reckons ex-Manchester City ace Barry will soon be in a class of his own after making his debut in 1998.

The Bulgarian, who also played in midfield, told MirrorSport: “Gareth can be very proud.

“If he keeps going that will be a great achievement but what he has achieved so far is incredible. It is phenomenal.

Barry in action against West Ham (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

“Records are there to be broken but it won’t be for sometime. He will hold that record for a while and it can’t be taken away from him.

“I don’t think people realise what he is going to achieve. He is showing age doesn’t matter, it is about ability and what he can do on the pitch. He is still doing it since day one when he became a professional.

“He has awareness, positioning, ability to read the game and is always involved in a game. That gives him a chance to go even longer. I would love to see Gareth go for another three or four years at a very high level.

“Not many players can play 30 games a season but he has been doing that for nearly 20 years at a high level with good performances. His consistency is very good.”

Barry’s class saw him earn 53 England caps from 2000-2012. He also won the Premier League and FA Cup with Man City. He has notched 52 goals and 63 assists as well in the top-flight.

The star has already been described by Tony Pulis as Albion’s best player so far this term after leaving Everton, where he was player of the year last season.

Petrov has battled leukaemia (
Image:
Neville Williams)

Petrov added: “When somebody achieves something like this it is with a lot of hard work, a great attitude and professionalism.

“Every single club he has played for he was well-known as one of the best and most consistent players.

“He was the man who lead the team quietly as a great player who can deal with pressure. Achieving this record in modern football is rare.

“In the last 10-15 years players have been overloaded and games have more intensity. But he hasn’t missed many games for Villa, Man City, Everton and now West Brom.

“Players like him can teach young kids these days a lot of things too - how to be professional and how to play football in the right manner.

“Gareth has always been wanted by all the managers because he does his job properly.”

Petrov hailed Barry for his support (
Image:
Neville Williams)

Petrov might still be playing himself but he was forced to retire in 2013 after being diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2012.

But the former midfielder thankfully beat the disease and says Barry was a huge help.

He added: “As a friend he is everything you can want.

“He is trustworthy, which is what you want in a friendship, he helps and gives you loyalty.

“He has all those three qualities and I have a lot of time for Gareth as a player and as a friend.

“You don’t find friends like that all the time and to have friends like that means a lot.”

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