Gareth Barry has no plans to retire after being given new lease of life at West Brom

The veteran midfielder is on the cusp of breaking Ryan Giggs's all-time Premier League appearance record.

He is due to play his 633rd game in the top flight on Monday night when the Baggies travel to Arsenal - but the ultimate team player won't be smiling unless Albion come away from North London with a result.

Even though Barry admits playing for Albion could be his 'last challenge' in football, he isn't thinking about retirement just yet.

"I'm still feeling good," smiled Barry. "I just want to go as long as possible. Any ex-player I speak to and all my family say just keep playing as long as possible because there will be plenty of time to do different things when you retire."

The 36-year-old joined the Baggies in the summer for £1m and signed a one-year contract with an optional second year based on appearances.

And it was the fresh challenge in the West Midlands that has reinvigorated him once more.

"That was one of my decisions to leave Everton," he said. "This could possible be the last challenge of my career, I thought the time was right to come here.

"Tony spoke well about my game well, and I felt I could help the team here.

"My aim was to improve West Brom, we finished 10th last year, and we'll be hoping to improve on that."

Barry's family will be at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night to witness him break Giggs's record, but the midfielder insists he will not be happy unless the Baggies come away with something.

"That number will be an individual thing but football is a team game," he said. "No matter what you've achieved, if you don't get a positive result, it'll be dampened.

"My family will be at the game, but anything other than a positive result there won't be a smile on my face. My focus will be on winning the game, as crazy as it sounds after all that."