Wayne Hennessey tipped to be among Britain's best
Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was today tipped to reach his potential as one of the best in Britain.
The 26-year-old made his comeback with 45 minutes in Tuesday night's 2-1 friendly win at Wrexham after 15 months out with a twice ruptured cruciate knee ligament.
Now the Wales international is expected to play another 45 minutes in Saturday's friendly at Barnsley.
Hennessey's long absence has prevented his ascent to the top of the game after being hailed as one of the best young shot-stoppers in the Premier League before first suffering injury in April 2012.
But, with the Wales international fully fit again, head coach Kenny Jackett believes Hennessey can reclaim his mantle.
Jackett said: "He can certainly fulfil his potential, there's no doubt that can be the case.
"Goalkeepers mature later, they have a different career span to outfield players and they often get to their peak later.
"He has that in his favour and, that being the case, he's just about coming into his best time."
Jackett added: "It's a big boost because he's a quality goalkeeper and he's looked very good in training.
"Reputations are all well and good in football based on what someone has done before, but you need to do it on a day-to-day basis.
"And, as the weeks have gone on, he's done very well."
Jackett believes that having made his comeback, Hennessey has overcome one of the big mental hurdles in his way towards recapturing his old form.
The Wolves boss said: "It's a big barrier for him to come through. Playing a game is a different thing, but he's only doing the same as he's been doing every day now for the best part of a month.
"The game was a hurdle but I think he's come back in with confidence and looking forward to the future and he's very positive about it off the back of the work he's done and how he looks."
Jackett will eventually assess whether one of his three senior keepers can be loaned out.
He said: "We have three good goalkeepers here with Wayne, Carl Ikeme and Aaron McCarey. So we will see. We understand people's own personal situations but the main thing is the club.
"Those three getting some games in pre-season and then working towards us having a successful season is what we are after."
