Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has confirmed Dean Henderson is set to be sidelined with injury for ‘four to five weeks’.
The Manchester Evening News revealed on Tuesday that Manchester United loanee Henderson had suffered a grade two tear in his thigh during his side’s win against Leicester at the weekend, which meant he was facing a lay-off between four to six weeks.
Cooper has now revealed the goalkeeper, who joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan in July, should return within that estimated time frame, which comes as a huge blow to the club, as he’s become an integral part of the first team.
Henderson will return in late February or March and Cooper discussed the extent of the issue in his press conference on Thursday.
“We have two League Cup games [against United] that Dean wouldn’t have played in anyway because of the loan ruling so we were always planning without him for those games,” Cooper said.
“We need to get this weekend out of the way and see where we’re at after that. Dean is going to be out for four to five weeks, which is obviously a blow for all of us, especially him, but these things happen.
“We carry on with our work and will support Dean as best we can to get fit as quickly as possible.
Erik ten Hag will not make a decision on Henderson’s future until the end of the season and it’s understood the academy graduate has not spoken to the Dutchman, who the stopper said he refused to train under out of fear of being denied a move away.
Henderson is under contract at United until 2025.
