Brentford defender Rico Henry is set to return from an ACL injury he sustained in the Premier League in September last year; the left-back is motivated by the prospect of playing for England in the future, with the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign encouraging him to hit the ground running when he comes back.
Brentford defender Rico Henry, who has not played since hurting his ACL against Newcastle United in September 2023, is ready to begin pre-season training and “can’t wait” to be back playing for the Bees ahead of the 2024/25 season.
And the left-back revealed that the opportunity to play for England in the World Cup in two years, as well as the Three Lions’ current left-back situation at Euro 2024, is another motivating element for him to return better than ever next season.
“One thing that really motivated me was looking forward to the World Cup in 2026 – there’s always a chance. I’m still so determined to get into the England team,” said Henry.
“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.”
Henry added: “It’s been difficult watching England at Euro 2024 playing without an out-and-out left-back because I know I could do a job there.
“Luke Shaw has been struggling with an injury and we haven’t got any other left-footed full-backs in the squad.
“And, when I’ve watched them this summer, I just feel like I could fit so well into that team.
“It has been frustrating not being there but it’s also been great to watch, seeing them doing well and getting in to the quarter-finals.
“I’ve spoken to Ivan [Toney] and he’s buzzing off his performance in the last-16 against Slovenia. When he got the assist, I jumped up and was shouting at the TV! It was a really nice moment.”
Henry has been absent for about a year due to the aforementioned ACL injury, and he has struggled both physically and mentally while dealing with the knee ailment.
However, owing to fantastic work by the medical team and Henry himself, the defender is ready to travel ahead of the west Londoners’ first pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon on July 20.
When asked about when he first sustained the injury, Henry said, “I was upset and devastated. It was a difficult one to take.
“I knew straight away that I’d done something. I could feel that my team-mates were worried about me, obviously because of my previous injury.
“And when I was walking off, I was just praying that it wasn’t my ACL – but it turned out it was.
“It’s been really difficult but, now, I’m just looking forward to getting back playing. For the pre-season friendlies, it’ll probably be the medical team’s job to hold me back!
“When I play, I play 100 per cent. Sometimes they will tell me to run at 70 per cent, but I can’t do that, I just want to run at 100 and give my all!
“But I can’t wait to hear the fans at the Gtech, feeling that atmosphere, getting that buzz again – it’s the best feeling.”
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