Henry loaned to Rovers

Doneil Henry has been named in a starting lineup after joining Blackburn Rovers on loan. The West Ham defender has linked up with the Championship club until 6 April 2015 and is making his debut at Sheffield Wednesday on tonight. He could also feature in a FA Cup quarter-final at Liverpool on Sunday.

The Canada international, joined the Hammers on a permanent basis in January and told WHUFC.com today

“I’m definitely looking forward to playing some first-team football,” said the 22-year-old, who has featured twice for the Development Squad. “I think it’s very important for me that I stay sharp and get back in the routine of playing regularly. Hopefully I can play a lot for Blackburn and do well for them. I’m looking forward to my debut, which I hope to make at Sheffield Wednesday. Playing in front of big crowds is where I get a lot of enjoyment out of playing football. I just hope I can help the team. I know [my old Toronto FC manager] Ryan Nelsen played at Blackburn, but that’s pretty much what I know about them. I talked to the manager [Gary Bowyer] and some of the staff there and they were all very welcoming. I’m excited to be on board and hopefully can help them achieve what they want to achieve. I’m very excited about the possibility of playing against Liverpool this weekend in the FA Cup, hopefully I can come up against some top players and impress the manager back here at West Ham.As much as I want to play [at West Ham], I’m sure the manager will put me in when he thinks I’m ready. I’m on a steep learning curve here in Europe, I just want to keep on improving and take it from there.So far so good, I like living in London. The football has been great, it’s a new experience and I’m always open to new challenges, like this one at Blackburn.”