Gareth Barry returns to the Aston Villa side tonight for the resumption of their UEFA Cup campaign - with striker Gabriel Agbonlahor urging him to sign a new contract.
Stand-in captain Barry was suspended for the FA Cup fifth-round reversal at Everton on Sunday after incurring five yellow cards this season.
But the England midfielder is available for the home first-leg clash with CSKA Moscow before another crucial encounter at the weekend against Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.
Barry has only 18 months left of his current deal after a proposed £18 million move to Liverpool last summer never materialised.
But Agbonlahor believes it would send out a message of intent if the 28-year-old puts pen to paper on a new deal.
Agbonlahor told PA Sport: ‘I think Gareth ought to sign a new contract. It would show our expectations for the rest of the season and next season.
