Fulham vs Brentford injury news as 6 ruled out and 2 doubts

Brentford and Fulham have already enjoyed strong starts to the season, both sitting in the top half of the Premier League at this still early stage of the season. The aim for both clubs will be to sustain their early season form over the winter and Christmas period to go into the new year still riding high, with schedules getting much more crowded after the next international break.

Before all that, the London clubs face each other in a derby clash on Monday night, and the fact they are separated by just one point as things stand. As preparations continue for the Craven Cottage clash, we have rounded up all the latest injury news.

Igor Thiago - Out

Speaking about Thiago and Gustavo Nunes recently, Thomas Frank said: “Both of them are running around on the pitch, but not with the team.”

Gustavo Nunes - Out

The same as above applies.

Rico Henry - Out

Henry is close to returning from a knee injury, but this one will come just too soon for him. Frank has said: “Rico is getting closer, but not close enough. I don’t know if cautious is the right word, but we want to get it right. When a player has been out for a long time, you want to be sure when you put him on the pitch that he is ready.”

Kristoffer Ajer - Doubt

Ajer could well return after picking up a small foot injury. “It is a minor foot injury,” Frank confirmed. “We maybe could have pushed him through the game today, but it is not worth it. We rested him, and [we will] probably rest him again on Tuesday. Then he should be fit and available for Fulham.”

Aaron Hickey - Out

Hickey is out long term. Frank has previously said: “The procedure involved the removal of the previous repair sutures and making a new tendon repair. Now we aim to start afresh and help Aaron return to his previous level of health and performance.”

Sasa Lukic - Out

Marco Silva has confirmed that Lukic will be out until late November, saying recently in an update: “Sasa is going to be out for more than one or two games.”

Carlos Vinicius - Doubt

Vinicius is hoping to return from a lower leg injury here. Silva said last week: “Jorge Cuenca and Carlos Vinicius are going in the right direction. In the last two or three days, they have been working with the team. Tomorrow, we have another session, and we will assess them.” Cuenca has already returned and Vinicius should followe here.

Timothy Castagne - Out

Silva said of Castagne’s injury when it happened: “Timo also came back with a problem with his hamstring, so let's see how long that's going to be...” Last week, Silva said that Castagne is “still out” and there has nothing to suggest he will be back here.

Pereira picked up a knock last time out but should be okay to play here. He must be listed as a doubt until Silva issues a fresh update later this week.