Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has confirmed that Ivan Toney will start against Arsenal.
Toney was seen limping towards the end of the Bees’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend, but Frank quashed any suggestions the striker would be unavailable for Saturday’s trip to Emirates Stadium.
Fellow forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has been out since the start of December due to an ankle injury, is progressing well and could return for Manchester United’s visit to west London on 30 March.
“It’s a balance,” said Frank. “If I see on the training ground that he [Mbeumo] is there - when I see that he is sharp, performing and has got up to the minimum level – then it will be about deciding how much he can play.
“He’s obviously a key player. With the type of injury he had, touch wood, he cannot get a setback. It’s not a hamstring, for example, where he could provoke it. It’s just about fitness and sharpness.”
Brentford are also helping to welcome defender Ethan Pinnock (ankle) back after the March international break, while last month Frank revealed his hope that both Aaron Hickey (hamstring) and Kevin Schade (adductor) will be return before the end of the campaign.
Rico Henry (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee) and Ben Mee (ankle) are sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal extended their winning streak in the Premier League to seven matches with a 6-0 victory at Sheffield United last time out.
Mikel Arteta’s side scored 31 goals during that run, and Frank was full of praise for the job the Spaniard has done at the Emirates.
“Form-wise, momentum, they are right up there,” said the Bees boss. “Arsenal, Liverpool and [Manchester] City are ahead of the rest.
“Right now, maybe Arsenal are performing to the absolute maximum. But we trust ourselves, we believe in ourselves, and we know what we are about and what we can do.
“But of course, they deserve a lot of praise. Arteta, his coaching staff and players have clearly improved from last season.
“They managed to have an okay first part of the season, but they look so much stronger now. I know we are not in the run-in, but they look so strong coming into it. They look very, very strong. The job they have done together is very impressive.”
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