New FC Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has reiterated that French striker Thierry Henry shall feature in his plans next season and that he shall feature as a striker.

Henry was signed from Arsenal last summer for just 16 million pounds but under Frank Rijkaard he failed to get regular matches and was often substituted in the few matches that he started.

Moreover Henry was played as a left winger which is not is preferred position and so was often off colour. So much so that there were suggestions that the French international striker would be sold by Barca this summer.

But new coach Josep Guardiola is said to be a huge fan of Henry and has always maintained that the Premiership legend shall play on at Camp Nou under his stewardship. Once again on Tuesday, the former Barcelona midfielder insisted that Hnery indeed is very much in his plans for next season.

Guardiola said:

"I expect a lot from him. I have spoken with him, he knows that his first year was not easy and yet he managed to score many goals. I have great faith and I want to give importance to both him and Bojan Krkic."

In addition, on the Frenchman and his position on the field, Guardiola added: "Henry can play in both positions, at No9 or on the wing, but we'll try to play him as a centre-forward."