Donnelly is likely to play his first test of the year in Hamilton but the future for fullback Israel Dagg is looking slightly more cloudy.
• Carter shows the way
Henry said yesterday Donnelly was likely to get a run next week in the second test against Wales, after Anthony Boric suffered a slight fracture to a cheekbone in the 42-9 win over the Welsh at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
Dagg, though, is looking more in doubt, after suffering a knock to the head near the end of the first half.
"He is a pretty sick boy. With head injuries you need to take time over them and not rush these things," Henry said yesterday.
"It is the same with Anthony. He could probably play in a push but we don't really need to do that ... both of them will struggle to play next week."
Donnelly played club rugby for Matakanui Combined on Friday, his first action after having an ankle operation in March.
Centre Conrad Smith suffered a poke in the eye on Saturday night, although it is not known how serious it is, while Daniel Carter, who collected 27 points in a master class of playmaking on Saturday night, suffered a slight calf strain.
Fullback Mils Muliaina is a chance to play on Saturday as he recovers from a calf injury, while regular second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu will play club rugby this weekend to test his knee injury.
Henry said they might bring a couple of players into the squad but no decision had been made.
Henry was full of praise for his two leaders - Carter and Richie McCaw - with McCaw tying Sean Fitzpatrick for the most wins as an All Black captain.
"To win 39 out of 45 tests as captain is phenomenal. He certainly gets a lot of credit in the team and has a huge amount of respect from his peers and New Zealanders in general."
The All Blacks were slow out of the blocks on Saturday night, and were up just 15-9 at the break before pulling away in the second half to score five tries to none.
A dressing-down by Henry at halftime was the catalyst for the strong second half although the Welsh tired, and fell off tackles.
"We just talked a bit of reality. We did not play that well in the first half and were a bit off the pace. But we changed it around and played very astutely in the second half," Henry said.
McCaw said the Welsh had played quite well in the first half but in the second half the side got a bit more territory, and the defence stood firm.
Henry expected the Welsh to come out firing next week, saying they had great pride as a rugby nation, and would be hurting from the loss.
The Welsh kicked the ball a lot in the first half and had a couple of half-chances but could not get over the tryline.
Henry said strong defence, coupled with good use of turnover ball, paved the way to points in the second half.
"Our counter-attack was great and the way the new rules are, you are more confident of keeping the ball at the first breakdown. The rules are superb in that way and give a much better and balanced game of football.
"You can take more risks and open up the game more."
