It has become widely believed that Thomas, who featured in over 50 games during his first two seasons with the Latics, had fallen out of favour and was set to leave the club in the summer when his contract expires.
However the Honduran international midfielder made his first appearance of the season in the FA Cup defeat to Swindon Town at the weekend and Roberto Martinez is expecting to see more of him.
“We all know what Hendry has done over the past two seasons,” Martinez told the Evening Post. “For a foreign player to make over 50 starts in the Premier League is a massive return."
Martinez in particular highlighted the departure of Momo Diame to the African Cup of Nations as as big chance for Thomas to step up.
“He’s very close to the first team, but that’s purely down to the competition of midfielders at the club. It could be that Hendry takes his chance (in Diame’s absence) and plays a big role for us," added Martinez.
“We also want to sit down and try to extend his contract, that would be our view. Hendry needs to be happy with it, and I know that he wants to play.
“Nothing’s changed in my eyes. It’s just that other players have taken their opportunities and kept their places.”
The next game for the Latics is the visit of Manchester City on Monday evening who will be without captain Vincent Kompany following an unsuccessful appeal of the red card he picked up against Manchester United.
Kompany is set for a four game spell on the sidelines which begins this evening as City are in action in the Carling Cup against Liverpool.
