West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry has been ruled out for the rest of the season, according to the Express & Star journalist Matt Wilson.
The veteran campaigner has not featured for the Baggies since the beginning of March, and will now require surgery on a knee complaint.
It is expected that he will be sidelined for the remainder of Albion’s such for a Premier League return, with no comeback date yet set.
Gareth Barry has been ruled out for rest of the season. Requires surgery on his knee injury #wba
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) April 18, 2019
OPINION
This will be a real blow for the Baggies, but one they are good enough to overcome. Aside from anything else, Barry’s experience would have been vital in helping his side over the line in their push for the play-offs, but his quality would also have been a massive boost. At 38, he is an absolute marvel, and still has the ability to dominate matches from his deep-lying midfield role. The only good thing about this is that Albion have been without him since the start of March, so it’s not as if his absence will come as a sudden shock to them. They have adapted pretty well without him, and stand as good a chance as anybody of making it up through the play-offs. If they do, that will be when things get interesting for midfielder. Nearing 40, coming back from knee surgery, will he be able to cut it in the most competitive league in Europe? You wouldn’t put it past him.