Gary Gardner saw his early 2015/16 hindered by an injury sustained in pre-season and he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest.
The big factor that has held hugely-talented Gardner back in his claret and blue career has been injuries, which have plagued the 23-year-old since breaking into the first team.
Former boss Tim Sherwood showed his faith in the influential midfielder by handing him a new three year deal in August 2015.
Gardner spent the last campaign on loan at both Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
He returned to Bodymoor Heath just before the end of the Barclays Premier League season to be assessed by then boss Sherwood ahead of this new campaign.
Gardner, who has been at the club since he was seven years old, previously penned a two year deal in June 2014.
He made his debut in the 3-1 away win at Chelsea in December 2011 and has gone on to play 18 times for the first team.