Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has backed Louie Barry to make a return to the Championship season after the attacker struggled to make an impact at Hull City.
The Villa youngster has proved to be one of the hottest properties in the EFL in the past couple of seasons owing to his terrific exploits at Stockport County, where he guided the Edgeley Park club to the League Two title, and then a blistering start to the new campaign.
Earlier this season, the 21-year-old from Sutton Coldfield bagged 15 goals in 23 games before returning to Villa Park just after Christmas with an injury which brought a premature end to his loan spell in Greater Manchester.
Barry then arrived at City late in the January window amid a huge amount of excitement, but injury disrupted his campaign after succumbing to a knee ligament problem in the win at Sunderland in late February. Despite hopes he could return for the final couple of games, another injury ended those hopes.
City have not ruled out trying to get the youngster back for next season, but will wait to see how he progresses in his recovery over the summer before making a decision, sources have told Hull Live. Championship rivals Birmingham City and Derby County are said to be big admirers of the player.
Whatever happens, Barry will be in demand during the summer months once he's recovered from injury, and the ex-Villa Park man expects competition to be fierce.
"Obviously, he's been out on a number of loans and then signed a new deal," Hendrie told FLW. "He went to Hull, but it didn't work out injury-wise. I think he will be in the EFL next season. I think it's going to be a Championship side that will suit his capabilities, because that's what really worked for him going to Stockport.
"Hull probably would've worked for him as well, but you'd expect one of the top clubs in the Championship to try and make sure they get him on a loan deal. I'm sure it'll be down to whether Villa want to keep or sell, but he would be a good fit for someone."