DONEIL Henry will be back at Blackburn Rovers before the end of the season – but only as a spectator.

Henry underwent an operation at the weekend on the serious hamstring that cut short his impressive loan spell at Rovers.

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But the highly rated young West Ham United centre-back is set to return to Ewood Park next month for the big FA Cup quarter-final replay with Liverpool.

It is Gary Bowyer’s way of lifting Henry’s spirits and thanking him for his efforts during his 10 days with the club.

The Canada international helped Rovers to three successive Championship victories including a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday just three hours after he met his team-mates for the first time.

But he pulled up 70 minutes into the 3-1 success at Charlton Athletic and he will not kick a ball again this season.

And Rovers boss Bowyer said: “Doneil was fantastic on his debut and he continued that form right up until he got injured.

“He helped us to three wins out of three so he will be a big loss to us.

“There are plans for him to come up to see the boys because he made such a great impression during his short spell with us and he built a real relationship with the players and the staff.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him and I think we’re trying to get him up for the Liverpool match,.”

As long as Rovers remain under an embargo for failing Financial Fair Play Bowyer will be restricted to loan signings and free transfers.

But he says it is too early to tell whether he will definitely go back in for Henry in the summer.

Instead he will let the 20-year-old concentrate on getting fully fit first.

Bowyer said: “The most important thing is Doneil has a successful operation and then continues his rehab.

“But we’ll certainly stay in touch with him and then assess things in the summer.

“But the poor lad has got a bit of work to do before then.”