Gavin Henson is a double Grand Slam winner with Wales in 2005 and 2008

Gavin Henson's former coach concedes he will not be surprised if the Lions and Wales star never plays rugby again.

The Ospreys centre has been put on unpaid, indefinite leave by the Welsh region, casting more doubt on his future amid suggestions he may retire.

The 27-year-old has endured an injury-plagued few seasons and is currently struggling with ankle ligament damage.

Former Ospreys coach Lyn Jones said: "It wouldn't be a surprise if he never plays again. But rugby needs him."

Jones coached Henson for five years from the region's inception in 2003 until the coach left in 2008.

Henson shot to worldwide fame when his last-gasp penalty ensured Wales beat England 11-9 in the opening game of the 2005 Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium.

That historic win was the catalyst for Wales' 2005 Grand Slam triumph, their first in 27 years.

Since then Henson has been one of rugby's highest-profile superstars, especially when his relationship with singer Charlotte Church became public knowledge.

Henson's undoubted natural ability earned him the 2001 IRB Young Player of the Year award as well as inspiring Wales to two Grand Slams and the Ospreys to two Celtic League crowns and the 2008 EDF Energy Trophy title.

You're a long time out of the game once you give it up. He's got an amazing talent - he can turn games on his own. I hope he raises enough interest to come back Former Ospreys coach Lyn Jones

Henson has been plagued by injuries and suffered his current ankle ligament problem in the Ospreys' EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat to Gloucester in March.

The Bridgend-born player has previously denied reports that he is considering retirement but this latest revelation and the Ospreys and Henson's refusal to comment, have fuelled speculation.

And while his one-time mentor Jones would not be surprised is Henson does quit, he hopes the Ospreys' all-time top points scorer returns.

"Id like to think he'll put the boots on again and perform at the highest level," said Jones.

"It's always disappointing to hear that a player is taking a break from the game.

"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 over the last four years and it is important that the Ospreys give him time to think about what he wants to do next.

"He has had a few serious injuries, not least the one he suffered against Gloucester at the end of last season.

Henson's ankle gives way

"Injuries and fighting their way back to fitness is the hardest thing a player has to deal with.

"I think he's got a future in the game. He's an important player for the Ospreys and Wales.

"You're a long time out of the game once you give it up. He's got an amazing talent - he can turn games on his own. I hope he raises enough interest to come back.

"It's about the player and making sure the player comes back and performs for the Ospreys again in the future. Rugby needs him - the Ospreys certainly need him."

Henson's lack of match fitness saw him overlooked for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, having been selected four years earlier for the series in New Zealand.

And Ospreys coach Sean Holley admitted: "He hasn't been 100%, probably since around 2005 when he was hitting his peak so I think he's been given some indefinite leave to sort himself out.

"He's got an Achilles and a foot injury and he's still suffering from some of his groin issues so he's not right.

"As I say, he needs to sort himself out, but in the meantime we've still got a lot of other players in the squad to concentrate on so we're moving on and when Gav's ready he'll come back, I would imagine."

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