Brentford head coach Thomas Frank delivered a positive squad update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against West Ham United.
The Bees boss confirmed that Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter are both expected to return to training next week. Damsgaard has been absent since August with a knee injury, while Lewis-Potter (calf) last appeared for the Bees against Nottingham Forest on 1 October. Midfielder Josh Dasilva (hamstring) is also progressing well.
“Josh Dasilva, Keane and Mikkel Damsgaard have been running on the grass this week,” said Frank.
“Damsgaard should part-train with the team next week. Keane’s scan was positive, and I imagine he’ll start training with the team next week also.
“Josh was a hamstring injury so he will maybe not train with the team next week.
“It should be more weeks than months [for all three players to return], without me nailing an exact time.”
Frank continued: “Myles Peart-Harris and Shandon Baptiste got 45 good minutes on Tuesday with the B team, but they’re still just undercooked in terms of being available for selection this weekend. But they’re progressing well, which is positive.”
Brentford have won all four of their Premier League games against West Ham, including the last three meetings by a 2-0 scoreline.
But Frank stressed that the Bees will have to be at their best to earn a third-straight win at Gtech Community Stadium and highlighted the Hammers’ summer signing James Ward-Prowse as a potential dangerman.
“West Ham are a very good side with a very good and experienced manager [David Moyes],” said Frank.
“They’ve had a good start to the season, they top their group in the Europa League and are in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
“Ward-Prowse is maybe the best set-piece taker in the world right now. He’s got the most assists [from set-pieces] in the Premier League in the last five years, which is incredible.
“I liked him when he was at Southampton, and I think he’s a really good player.
“They are a strong opponent but we trust ourselves and believe and if we top perform, we have a good chance of winning.”