Dean Henderson 'emotional' after first England start

The west Cumbrian goalkeeper made his full Three Lions debut in this week’s Nations League game against Finland.

Henderson’s second cap for his country came in a 3-1 win after he was given his chance by interim boss Lee Carsley.

Afterwards the Crystal Palace No1, from Whitehaven, spoke about the poignancy of making his first England start three months after the death of his father, Dougie.

"Unfortunately, we lost him in the summer. It would have been great for him to be here to watch me tonight,” Henderson told the national media after the game in Helsinki.

“So it has been emotional. I know I've just got to keep doing him proud.”

Henderson also said he had to take quick action in order to help the rest of his family see his big night in person.

"I had to go all out and get them over here on a [charter] plane,” said the 27-year-old, who went to St Benedict’s secondary school in Whitehaven, and started out in Whitehaven Miners Social’s junior team before joining Carlisle United and then Manchester United.

“But I did it just because I knew that it was such a big thing for the family. I didn't want them to miss it.

Henderson with John Stones and Kyle Walker after England's 3-1 win in Helsinki (Image: PA)

"They were emotional in the stands, I could see that."

Henderson also said it was an emotional time following the tragic death of his former Sheffield United team-mate George Baldock.

Tributes were paid to the 31-year-old at the international games. Henderson said he was “still numb” at the news of his friend’s passing.

The week was particularly poignant for Henderson, who, like many others, was deeply affected by the passing of Baldock.

"I don't even know what to say. I'm lost for words on it,” he said.

 Still numb to this day," Henderson confessed.

"The group of lads we had there and what a big character he was – to lose him and just out of the blue..."

Henderson’s second England appearance came nearly four years after his first, which was in November 2020 as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland.

The Cumbrian will now look to reinforce his position in the national team’s squad ahead of the start of new boss Tomas Tuchel’s reign in January.

He added: "It just shows you can never give up and you've got to bounce back and be resilient. And I'm proud to have done that because there have been difficult times."

Henderson is due to return to club action for Palace in their Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest next Monday.