Nottingham Forest are searching for a loophole in Carabao Cup rules so on-loan keeper Dean Henderson can face parent club Man United in semi-finals... with Erik ten Hag needing to give special permission for him to play
- Dean Henderson was Nottingham Forest's hero as they beat Wolves on penalties
- But on-loan goalkeeper will be ineligible to face parent club Man United next
- Erik ten Hag would have to grant dispensation for Henderson to face United
- Forest boss Steve Cooper said the club will explore ways to get round the issue
- Cooper admitted that Henderson's unavailability was a 'dampener' on the win
Nottingham Forest are trying to find a way to ensure Dean Henderson can play in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United – though they hold little hope of success.
Henderson was the hero in Forest's quarter-final win over Wolves, saving two kicks in the 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory, but the terms of his loan deal from United mean he is unlikely to be able to feature in the two-leg last-four tie.
Under the current regulations, United would have to grant permission for Henderson to play – a risk they probably would not take.
![Dean Henderson was Nottingham Forest's penalty shootout hero as they beat Wolves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/12/08/66489657-11626697-image-a-7_1673511765427.jpg)
Dean Henderson was Nottingham Forest's penalty shootout hero as they beat Wolves
![United manager Erik ten Hag would have to grant special permission for Henderson to play in their semi-final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/12/08/66489761-11626697-image-a-14_1673511906918.jpg)
United manager Erik ten Hag would have to grant special permission for Henderson to play in their semi-final
The alternative would be for Forest to try to turn the loan deal into a permanent switch but again, that would require United's approval.
Forest boss Steve Cooper said: 'I'm unsure about the situation, but if there is [a chance he can play], then obviously it's something we will look into the possibility of pursuing.
'But it's all just talk at the minute, I guess. We haven't really had a chance to breathe since the game. We'll pick that up as and when.'
![Article 6.3 of the Carabao Cup rules and regulations prohibits Henderson from facing United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/12/12/66489819-11627539-Article_6_3_of_the_Carabao_Cup_rules_and_regulations_prohibits_H-a-36_1673527395898.jpg)
Article 6.3 of the Carabao Cup rules and regulations prohibits Henderson from facing United
![Forest boss Steve Cooper has turned things around but they're far from safe from the drop](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/12/08/66489789-11626697-image-a-15_1673511960389.jpg)
Forest boss Steve Cooper said the club will look into loopholes so Henderson can play
There is a precedent from the 2014 Champions League, when Thibaut Courtois was permitted to play for Atletico Madrid against parent club Chelsea in the semi-final.
Reports at the time suggested Courtois would only be able to play if Atletico paid Chelsea a substantial sum - something the club had said they were unable to do - until UEFA released a statement saying any such contract clause would be invalid and Courtois could play.
But the rules for the Carabao Cup are different and it remains to be seen whether Forest can find a loophole.
![Thibaut Courtois was able to play for Atletico Madrid against Chelsea back in 2014](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/01/12/12/66497613-11627539-image-a-38_1673527468760.jpg)
Thibaut Courtois was able to play for Atletico Madrid against Chelsea back in 2014
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