Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper says Cumbrian keeper Dean Henderson fully deserves his England recall.

The Premier League club boss says it is Henderson’s work ethic behind the scenes that has earned him his latest international chance.

The Whitehaven star was called up by Gareth Southgate yesterday for the first time since Euro 2020.

Henderson, who is on loan at Forest from Manchester United, is one of three keepers in the squad for Nations League games against Italy and Germany.

Injury to Jordan Pickford has opened the door for Henderson, who will be competing with Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope for a chance in the games later this month.

READ MORE: Cumbrian star gets England recall

Henderson has returned to first-team football with Premier League new boys Forest this season, and Cooper has been impressed with the Cumbrian.

“It’s great for him, because I know how important it is for him to play for England, in terms of his personal objectives,” said Cooper of Henderson’s recall.

“I’m really pleased that he’s been given the opportunity to meet up again.

“I think he deserves it. He’s been excellent for us. We’re lucky that we see him on a daily basis. He’s really committed to his work here and what we’re trying to do at the club.

“He’s a hard-working professional. He’s obviously a really talented goalkeeper, but that only goes so far. If you’re willing to work hard and have the mentality of wanting to improve, that’s when the talent will really show.”

Henderson has made six top-flight appearances for Forest so far this season, with his seventh due to come tonight against Fulham.

“He deserves the call up again and has to make sure he performs well [tonight] – that’s my message to him,” added Cooper of the ex-Carlisle United academy player.

“He has to keep striving to improve, to get better, be obsessed with keeping clean sheets, making saves, distributing the ball well.

“If he does that he will continue to improve his already good form.

“We love having Dean here. We really enjoy working with him, the competitive soul that he is, and we’ve got to push him to improve even more.”