Barry tips Hendrie for England

Gareth Barry has tipped team-mate Lee Hendrie to win an England call-up.

The diminutive midfielder has begun the new campaign in imperious fashion, having netted a series of spectacular goals in the past few weeks.

Hendrie's solitary cap came six years ago when Glenn Hoddle was at the England helm but in the intervening years, the Villa Park favourite has struggled to match such form.

However, Barry believes that if the 27-year-old continues his current vein of form, a recall to the international scene is not out of the question.

''When I first came here Lee got his England call-up and was playing out of his skin,'' said Barry.

"He was doing the same when he was playing for the Under-21s as well and I feel he's not far behind that now.

"He started the season slowly as he came back from an injury but the way he's been playing has been very impressive.

"He's scored four goals and could have had a lot more because he's hit the woodwork a few times.

''I'm sure he'll be trying to get a lot more because it's goals that get you headlines."

In a plea to the Villa Park hierarchy that echoes the words of his boss David O'Leary, Barry has reiterated that the club need to invest in new players in the January transfer window.

"The manager has made it clear and everyone knows that our squad is not the biggest if we are going to make bigger strides than last year,'' continued Barry.

''Hopefully the manager can get the players that he wants to bring in."