Rico Henry is nearing a return from injury after featuring in an in-house match at Brentford's training ground on Saturday. The left-back has not played for Brentford since he suffered the second serious knee injury of his career in a game at Newcastle in September 2023.
His recovery has been delayed by complications but he is now close to returning. Brentford have been weighing up whether to play Henry in a B-Team game against Charlton on Tuesday afternoon. Thomas Frank’s first-team host Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on Saturday, and it remains to be seen whether Henry will be considered for the squad for that third-round tie.
The 27-year-old was close to returning in September, but he suffered a minor knock before he was due to play in a friendly with QPR. Speaking in the summer, Henry said the chance to play for England at the World Cup in 2026 is a factor motivating him to come back stronger than ever.
New England boss Thomas Tuchel is short of left-back options and Henry was impressing for Brentford before his latest knee injury. “One thing that really motivated me was looking forward to the World Cup in 2026 - there’s always a chance,” said Henry. “I’m still so determined to get into the England team.
“It would be a dream come true. I played for some of the youth teams, but getting a senior cap is one of my main goals. That’s what everyone plays football for: to feature for your country. “I know I had a chance before I got injured, but people reminding me that I can still do it really encourages me. I just need to come back, stay fit and play well.”.
