Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson should replace fellow loanee Keylor Navas in goal when he returns from injury, according to Darren Fletcher.
Forest moved to strengthen their goalkeeping options in the January transfer window following injury to Henderson in the 2-0 win over Leicester City earlier in the month. The on loan Manchester United man picked up a thigh injury in the closing stages of the game and has missed the last six matches in all competitions.
While the Reds turned to fellow summer signing Wayne Hennessey as a short term replacement, they moved quickly to bring in Champions League winner Navas on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
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The 36-year-old has become an instant fan favourite at the City Ground, his saves helping the Reds record a 1-0 win over Leeds United and a 1-1 draw with Man City in the last two home games.
However, with Henderson now closing in on a return, it leaves Steve Cooper with a big decision to make over who starts in goal for the rest of the season.
“Everybody has gone Navas crazy, let’s not forget the role that Dean Henderson has played this season and how many points he has helped the club win,” broadcaster and Forest fan Fletcher said on the Garibaldi Red Podcast. “The saves that Navas has made since he has been here have been excellent, but they’re only saves that Dean would have made as well.
“I think the manager has got a real issue when Dean Henderson is fit, because my belief would be that his body of work should get him back into the team. Now that might not be a popular decision, but we’re all just getting a bit carried away.
“I said to someone today, give me a world class save that Navas has made, he’s had a great start, he’s been brilliant, I’m not criticising him in any shape or form, because he’s been superb. But let’s just remember what Dean Henderson has done as well this season, and not just kick him to the curb because the fella has three Champions League medals.”
With both goalkeepers only on loan, Fletcher added that it could come down to who is the most likely to extend their stay at the City Ground this summer. Henderson has been open about how important game time is to him when leaving United for Forest in the summer.
“We don’t know the answer to this, but do Forest want to buy Dean Henderson? Because Kaylor Navas is going back to Paris at the end of the season, he’s here for six months and that’s that,” he added. If they want to buy Dean Henderson, Henderson might have to play and the crowd might have to go ‘ok, he’s done great for us too’.”
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