Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper hasn’t ruled out seeking permission for Dean Henderson to play in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The on-loan goalkeeper was the Reds’ hero as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on penalties in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night. He made three big saves in the game as it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and he then thwarted two of the visitors’ spot-kicks, leaving Forest to triumph 4-3 in the shootout.
Cooper’s side have been drawn against Henderson’s parent club, Manchester United, in the next round, however, which potentially rules him out of both legs. Written permission would have to be granted by United for him to feature, which seems unlikely to happen.
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“I’m unsure about that, but if there is (a chance), then obviously it’s something we will look into the possibility of pursuing,” Cooper said. But it’s all just talk at the minute, I guess.
“We haven’t really had a chance to breathe since the game. We’ll pick that up as and when.”
Asked what his thoughts would be if roles were reversed and he was in Erik ten Hag’s shoes, the Reds head coach added: “I’ve not really been in that situation, so I’ve not had to think about it, to be honest.”
Henderson was ineligible to play for Forest at Old Trafford in the Premier League game between the teams last month. Wayne Hennessey stepped in as the visitors fell to a 3-0 defeat.
Before the draw was made, the 25-year-old had been at the heart of the hosts’ celebrations. But attention will now quickly turn to Saturday’s clash at home to Leicester City.
“It was just really good to get through,” Cooper said. “I want us to play better, going forward, there’s no doubt about that. We did some good things in the game, but not enough, and we need to do better.
“It’s a great week - quarter-final under lights, then a local game at 3 o’clock on Saturday in the Premier League. It’s a great working week.
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