Gareth Barry willing to do what it takes to prolong his career for West Brom

Top-tier clubs were not the financial behemoths they are now, they didn't have armies of sport scientists collecting data, they didn't have medical teams monitoring their players' every move.

But Barry, who joined Albion from Everton this week on an initial one-year contract with a second year based on appearances, is grateful for those developments, because they've helped him prolong his career.

It's part of the reason why, at the age of 36, he is confident he still has plenty to give.

"The way the game has gone now, age means absolutely nothing to me," he said. "I'm 36 but the advances in sports science have changed the way players think and approach their football.

"They don't allow you to think in terms of age now. All the stats are there for every player.

"There is nowhere to hide anymore and I'd soon be found out if I could not compete at this level.

"When I started, you would turn up half an hour before training, do a session and walk away.

"Now you're in an hour and a half before training with pre-activation and yoga, the recovery sessions. Everything has changed the way players can prolong their careers now."

Albion have a good record in recent years of prolonging careers, just ask 37-year-old Gareth McAuley, or Chris Brunt and Ben Foster, both of who have bounced back from serious knee injuries in their 30s.

But advances in medicine and sport science can only take a player so far. The subject himself still needs to be willing to put the work in.

It appears Barry, who is five games away from overtaking Ryan Giggs in the Premier League's all-time appearance charts, certainly has the right mentality.

He turned down the possibility of Europa League football with Everton and a two-year contract with the Toffees to join Albion because he felt he would get more first-team football in the Midlands.

"I was happy at Everton and prepared to do my last year which included playing in European football this season," he explained.

"I was told by the club that there was interest from a couple of Premier League teams which got me thinking a bit.

"I had some great conversations with (Everton manager) Ronald Koeman. He is a very honest manager and we discussed everything at length and he wanted to keep me around.

"Did I want to stay at Everton? Which was very comfortable for me - but I realised I wasn't going to be first choice as they were signing a lot of players.

"Was I ready for another challenge? So that's where my head was.

"I heard of West Brom's interest, thought long and hard about it and realised that was what I wanted. I am not the sort of player to sit back and be comfortable. I was really ready for this new challenge."

Barry missed last weekend's action with a knock to his ankle so fans may have to wait to see him Albion colours. But the former Villa midfielder can't wait to get out on the pitch.

"I want to come and help the team," he said. "That's always been the same for me wherever I have played. I want to help the team improve, work hard and hopefully add quality.

"I haven't come here for an easy season. I could have done that Everton."