Gavin Henson has been backed to bounce back from his latest injury hell and make a stunning return to rugby.
The British Lions and Wales star has been linked with retirement following six months out since suffering ankle ligament damage back in March.
Injury-plagued Henson is currently sidelined with Achilles, foot and groin problems with no date given for a return to action.
And now the Ospreys centre, 27, is understood to have been put on unpaid, indefinite leave by the Welsh region – casting more doubt on his future.
But Lyn Jones – who coached Henson and the Ospreys between 2003 and 2008 said: “I’d like to think Gavin will put his boots on again and perform at the highest level.
“It’s always disappointing to hear a player is taking a break from the game.
“He’s had a few serious injuries and fighting your way back to fitness is the hardest part a player has to deal with.
“But I believe Gavin has a future in the game and I hope he raises enough interest to come back.
“He’s an amazing talent which can turn games on his own. He’s an important player for the Ospreys and Wales.”
Henson, a twice Grand Slam winner and Lions tourist four years ago, shot to world rugby fame with his last-gasp penalty for Wales over England in the 2005 Six Nations.
But the golden boy of Welsh rugby has struggled with injury ever since – ruling him out of last summer’s Lions tour to South Africa.
Jones added: “Rugby and the Ospreys certainly need him. When I first met Gavin in 2003 rugby was first, second and third priority in his life and he was desperately keen to play every single game.
“Not only was he keen to play, he was by far the most influential rugby player in Britain. And for the Ospreys he scored tries, kicked goals and made breaks.
“But since 2005 he has been a different player and other things have come up in his life and he has to deal with them.
“It has been a tough time for Gavin and it is important that the Ospreys give him time to think about what he wants to do next.”
