Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey got some much-needed match fitness under his belt last night. He played for 45 minutes as Wales thrashed Gibraltar 4-0 at The Racecourse Ground.
Hennessey hasn’t played for Forest since playing on the final day of the 2022/23 season against Crystal Palace. He didn’t participate in pre-season due to an injury and is now considered the third choice at the City Ground.
Hennessey would have appreciated getting some minutes in front of a Welsh crowd last night. He competes with Danny Ward for the gloves right now and hopes to get the nod when Wales faces Croatia at the weekend.
Forest goalkeeper Hennessey gets minutes
This was a comfortable performance for the Forest goalkeeper. Hennessey touched the ball just seven times, according to Sofa Score and maintained a 6/10 rating from Wales Online.
They wrote about the Forest man: “Can’t actually remember him touching the ball after coming on at half-time.”
Hennessey didn’t actually have a save to make. Wales ran out comprehensive winners last night and it will be a different story when they take on Croatia in a crucial qualifier next up.
Hennessey will play a role in City Ground dressing room
Forest have kept the 36-year-old around the club for the season. He’s a good influence in the dressing room and with lots of young players in Steve Cooper’s squad he’s a good character to have in the ranks.
Hennessey is unlikely to play for Forest this season. With Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos now at the club, those two will likely remain the pair of goalkeepers for the season.
Hennessey will appreciate that he’s unlikely to feature this season for Forest. His work will come to the fore on the training ground and he will be hot on the heels of the two first-choice goalkeepers at the City Ground.
