Wanderers impress new on-loan keeper (From Bucks Free Press)

Wanderers impress new on-loan keeper

10:29am Thursday 29th April 2004 in Sport

NEW on-loan keeper Wayne Henderson helped Blues bag a point at Brentford on Saturday and then said: "I can't believe you've been relegated."

The glovesman had a bird's eye view from his six yard box as the already-doomed Chairboys had much the better of the 1-1 draw at Griffin Park.

He said: "I can't believe Wycombe are bottom of the table. Looking at that I would have thought they would have been at the other end fighting for a place in the play-offs."

Henderson, who was signed on a week-to-week contract after previous loanee Lee Worgan was recalled by Wimbledon, was only beaten by Matthew Harold's effort which deceived him when it deflected off defender Ian Simpemba for an own goal.

He said: "I was expecting to be much busier. I had one shot to save and they scored a jammy goal.

"If they play like that they will come straight back up.

"I'm very surprised that they have gone down. The team spirit is excellent and some of the football they played was really good. It wasn't at all what I expected."

Henderson, who joined Simpemba in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in Poland on Tuesday, couldn't wait to sign for Wanderers after talking to Villa colleague, striker Luke Moore who was on loan at Adams Park earlier in the season.

He said: "Luke couldn't speak highly enough about the place and it is a great opportunity."

Now Henderson, who won the FA Youth Cup with Villa two years ago, is hoping to impress boss Tony Adams enough in Blues' final two matches of the season to secure something longter-term.

He said: "Next season is a big season for me. I'm hoping to get out on loan somewhere all season and if I can make a name for myself here you never know."

Henderson has been in and out of the Villa reserve side this season with Stefan Postma playing in most games.

He said: "This is my chance now and I want to grab it with both hands."

Adams said: "We've got two more games to have a look at him but I still want to look at the keepers we've got here."