Brentford FC Head of Medical Neil Greig has put together an update on the injury situation at the Club. There were ten players unavailable for the Sky Bet Championship win over Preston North End on Saturday, 19 September.
James Tarkowski
James suffered a calf injury during the away game at Leeds United earlier this month. He was unable to recover in time for Saturday's game versus Preston, however he is now recovering well and his progress will be monitored this week ahead of the games versus Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.
Andy Gogia
Andy is recovering well from a thigh injury sustained in training following the international break. The injury has been monitored via MRI and Ultrasound imaging and is progressing well. Andy has resumed outdoor work with the medical staff and his aim will be to return to full training over the coming 10 days.
Philipp Hofmann
Philipp sustained an abdominal muscle injury versus Leeds United. The injury has improved steadily in the past week, although Philipp still has some minor symptoms during exercise. His progressions will be based on symptoms and we hope that he will follow a similar timescale to that of Andy Gogia.
Lewis Macleod
Lewis has trained regularly with the squad for the past two weeks and is scheduled to take part in the home Development Squad games on 6 October and 12 October.
Maxime Colin
Maxime unfortunately sustained a ligament injury to his right knee during training on Friday 18 September. A block-tackle caused Maxime's injury, ruling him out of Saturday's game with Preston. An MRI scan has been performed and a specialist opinion requested. His recovery is likely to be medium-term, rather than only a week or two.
Sam Saunders
Sam suffered some discomfort and lack of power following a significant calf muscle injury sustained playing for Wycombe Wanderers in May. On returning to the First Team against Reading, Sam felt that he was unable to produce full power through the limb when required. With that, a decision was made to undertake an additional intensive period of strengthening to improve this. Progress has been good and Sam is now performing high intensity outdoor work with the medical staff. His return will be gradual over the coming two weeks, with development games next month his initial aim.
Josh McEachran
Josh is now eight weeks post-injury and has had a number of reassuring X-rays on his injured foot over the past two weeks. He is now out of his protective boot and running on the ant-gravity treadmill at Jersey Road. His progress will be monitored by further x-rays over the coming two weeks and his progress back to training will be led by our medical and sport science staff. Whilst no return date has been set for Josh, we are confident that his return to training will be as originally predicted.
Jota
Jota is approaching six weeks post-operation and will be reviewed by the ankle consultant shortly. At that point, it is planned that he will be removed from his protective boot and commence the gym-based reconditioning phase of his recovery. His recovery is following the originally predicted timescales to date.
Scott Hogan
Scott has had a reassuring following up appointment with his knee consultant this week. He is scheduled to visit Mr Bill Knowles in Philadelphia in October, following which it is planned that he will then commence the outdoor conditioning phase of his recovery. No date is being set for Scott's return at this point.
Andreas Bjelland
Andreas is now four weeks post- knee-surgery and progressing as expected. Presently he is fixed in a protective brace and can place limited weight onto the leg. He is due to resume normal weight-bearing at six weeks and from that point his reconditioning programme can increase in volume and intensity. No date is being set for Andreas's return at this point.
Brentford have been able to welcome Marcos Tébar back to the match day squad after injury and he played for the Development Squad against Leeds United yesterday. All players not mentioned above are fit and in training.