Nottingham Forest drop Dean Henderson future hint amid Manchester United loanee's injury

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper did not rule out working with Dean Henderson again after the Manchester United loanee announced his season was over.

Henderson tore his thigh in the victory over Leicester City at the City Ground in January. At first, it was hoped the 26-year-old would return after a few weeks.

However, three-and-a-half months on, United's 'keeper had surgery on his leg which has ruled him out for the remainder of the season. With his contract at Old Trafford set to expire in 2025, Henderson will return to Carrington in the summer unless another loan or permanent transfer is agreed for him.

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When asked in his pre-Southampton press conference whether he would like to sign Henderson again, Cooper was coy with his response. "Hard to say," he admitted, the Press Association reports.

"I have enjoyed working with him, we have all enjoyed Dean and the personality he is. All you see mainly is when he is in goal 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 are grateful for what he has given to us and what he will continue to give to us. 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. With Dean he is on loan from Manchester United but he really bought into the football club and the city, moving here and making it a permanent base for the loan showed he really wanted to be part of it on and off the pitch.

"We have had great commitment from him, even when he hasn’t been available in the