Nottingham Forest loanee Dean Henderson could be in line for an international recall from Gareth Southgate after establishing himself as a first-choice goalkeeper since leaving Manchester United for the season.
The 25-year-old has been ever-present for head coach Steve Cooper's side this season in their opening half a dozen matches of the Premier League season. That tally is already double the number of outings afforded to the shot-stopper while with parent club Man United across the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign.
Henderson joins Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope as the quartet of England international goalkeepers to feature in the top-flight so far this season, with that trio also playing every minute to date. That would present Southgate with a conundrum as four does not fit into the three goalkeeper spots typical taken up in international squads.
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Undisputed national team number one Pickford suffered a thigh injury against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby earlier this month, his club Everton have confirmed, which required "medical investigations" and, they add, is set to see the goalkeeper sidelined until after the approaching international break. It seems somewhat straightforward then that Southgate should select Henderson to replace the stricken stopper.
The Reds 'keeper could even end up being first-choice between the posts if reported conversations between Southgate and Henderson are to be believed. Back in November 2020, the England boss is claimed by 90min to have told his goalkeeper that "he would be England number one by now if was playing regular games at club level".
That advice has now been emphatically followed on the player's part, so it remains to be seen if that stance from Southgate proves true. It should be added, though, that these claims pre-date Ramsdale's move to Arsenal and Pope swapping Burnley for Newcastle United.
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