Nottm Forest boss Cooper hopes to avoid goalkeeping crisis with Henderson to sit out Man Utd game

Nottm Forest head coach Steve Cooper is hoping to avoid a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their Premier League game against Man Utd on December 27.

Dean Henderson has played every single Premier League game this season but he is unavailable for Tuesday’s game at Old Trafford as part of his loan deal.

Wayne Hennessey is his backup but he suffered a knock before their midweek Carabao Cup clash versus Blackburn Rovers. Cooper hopes that the Wales international will be fit enough to start his first league game since January.

If Hennessey does not make it then Jordan Smith will be called upon for his first senior appearance since March 2021.

“We knew it was coming, it is part of any loan agreement so it doesn’t come as any surprise,” Cooper said of Henderson’s absence.

“We have more than capable lads that can play in goal for us if Dean doesn’t play.

“Wayne has huge experience and he brings that every day with his training and his presence around the training ground and Jordan has been here for a long time and both add value, not just to the goalkeeping department but the culture in general.

“Looking forward to the game and whoever plays we are going to have to be at our best with everyone else and we are looking forward to it.

“We hope Wayne will be fit, he picked up a kick on his return to training after the World Cup and it ruled him unavailable for the last couple of games, including the Valencia game, but we are hopeful he will be available.”

There are also doubts over Morgan Gibbs-White and Serge Aurier ahead of the trip to Old Trafford as both men were also missing at Ewood Park.

Cooper added: “Similar for Morgan and Serge. We are hopeful they will be available, it is still a little bit inconclusive but we will see in a few days’ time.”

Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate (both hamstring) and Omar Richards (leg) definitely miss out.

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