I hope you're right because I too want him to stay in. He's obviously against any and all central midfielders including the likes of Bannan too. He is probably lower in the pecking order than any of them. He got his debut mainly because of injury and partly because of the clamour for him to get his debut IMO. Herd would go in ahead of him at the mo' if he came back and we'd revert to a dedicated defensive mid. I don't want that to happen. For me, I'd keep Gardner and Petrov in the centre and then put whatever you want around that.
When all are fit, there is a bit of a selection headache imo. Herd, Clark, Petrov, Bannan & Ireland. For me i would go with Petrov and Clark holding, allowing Ireland/Gardner to roam around and create. I'd like to play a 3 man central midfield, but i also like Bent and Gabby together.
How about...
----------Petrov-----Clark-------
N'Zogbia------------------Gabby
----------Ireland/Gardner--------
----------------Bent----------------
Looks strong on paper. Or maybe drop Clark and play Ireland & Gardner...Cant be much more attacking then that!?
Gardner can use his engine to cover the pitch and get up and down, Petrov to hold and Ireland in a bit of a free role to feed and create for Bent.