'He was close' - Brentford head coach provides huge injury boost as six first-team players missed West Ham

Brentford were handed yet another injury concern during their 1-1 draw against West Ham, after Kevin Schade was knocked down early on in the second half, before getting substituted in the 60th minute.

The club are already struggling with missing six key figures that would undoubtedly make the starting line-up - including Rico Henry, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen and Aaron Hickey - and Thomas Frank is now hoping that the three-time Germany international’s woes were merely cramp.

Speaking to the media after Saturday’s full-time, the Bees head coach said of Schade’s injury: “We don’t know why but just cramp. We will look into it, I think he was a threat. We have nothing to shoot with after that. We have no offensive subs to try and go even more forward and they’re putting on (Crysencio) Summerville, a Greek international and a Spanish international.”

With so many key figures out of action, it’s beginning to feel like deja-vu for the west London club. Brentford were hampered by injuries throughout last season with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Hickey, Josh Dasilva and Mikkel Damsgaard all out of action.

The side were also missing England international Ivan Toney for eight months, as the 28-year-old served an FA ban for breaching betting rules. When asked whether he felt the club were due to suffer a similar fate to their 2023/24 squad misfortunes, Frank stated: “I’m positive, no.”

The Danish head coach was then asked how close others occupying the medical room were to making a return to action. Defensive midfielder Nordgaard has been out with a minor knee injury but the Bees boss was able to confirm that he is exceptionally close to making a return.

“He was close”, Frank confirmed. “but either you play, so it didn’t make sense to have him on the bench. If he’s there, he’s starting. But I’m confident there’s a good chance for next week. A lot I am hopeful will be available in a week’s time.”

As to Rico Henry, who was out for the majority of last season after sustaining an ACL injury, Frank commented: “It is progressing in the right way. He had a minor, minor set-back about three four weeks ago but he’s on track. He’s running on the pitch again so hopefully not too long.”