Head coach Steve Cooper has given little away about the chances of Dean Henderson pulling on a Nottingham Forest shirt again.
The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper’s season has been ended early by a thigh injury. He has not featured since January and a setback led to him undergoing surgery earlier this week.
Henderson has been a popular figure with Reds fans during his time at the City Ground and many would like to see him sign on a permanent basis. The 26-year-old’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain, but any potential return Trentside would likely hinge on whether Forest are in the Premier League next season.
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Asked whether he envisages working with Henderson again, Cooper said: “Hard to say. I have enjoyed working with him, we have all enjoyed Dean and the personality he is.
“What supporters mainly see is when he has been in goal for us, but there is more to him than that. He is a real good professional, he really cares, he has a fantastic mentality of winning and wanting to be the best.
“We have really enjoyed working with him and we are grateful for what he has given us, and what he will continue to give us, because I’m sure he will still be around and quite visible. The medical teams are working together with United and ourselves on what’s right for him and what they want our contribution to be, if anything, because he is a Manchester United player.
“But I know he will be with us until the end, in terms of support. I’m sure he will be around.”
Henderson has been a regular on the sidelines supporting the Reds while he has been injured. And Cooper says his commitment to the cause has never been in question.
“With Dean, he is on loan from Manchester United but he really bought into the football club and even the city, moving here and making it a permanent base for the loan,” the Welshman added. “He showed he really wanted to be part of it, on and off the pitch.
“We have had great commitment from Dean, even when he hasn't been available in the last few months. It is a pity that his season has definitely ended because of surgery, but he has to now focus on his recovery.
“We have a good working relationship with United and communication. It is still fresh after the surgery, in terms of what the plans will be, but we wish him well with his recovery.”
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