Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has insisted that he 'can't wait' for Saturday's west London derby against a 'very good' Fulham side.

Frank has had numerous clashes with the Cottagers since becoming Bees boss in 2018, with his side winning the most recent Premier League encounter 3-2 at Gtech Community Stadium in March.

The last three meetings, including the Premier League Summer Series fixture in pre-season, have featured 15 goals, and Frank wouldn't mind a similarly entertaining game on Saturday - but only if his side can come away with three points.

Frank laughed: "Another 3-2 that we come out on top in would be nice!

"Take the two league games and the recent friendly game: it's been three very tight matches, three very even matches, between two very good teams.

"Marco Silva and his staff have done a top job. I like the way Fulham play. I can't wait to play them.

"It's a big game for the fans, it's a big game for us and, hopefully, we will go out there, play with great intensity and try to take the initiative. It will be difficult away, but we will do our very best."

Fulham head coach Silva has confirmed that talismanic centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic will not play for his side on Saturday due to injury.

Silva also stated that Raul Jimenez will start in Mitrovic's place. And the former Wolves striker is someone that Frank believes is more than capable of filling in as the Cottagers' no.9.

"Mitrovic is a very good player and a very good striker. Jimenez is another good player and another good striker," said Frank.

"I think Jimenez's top level is as good as Mitrovic's. It's a little bit different, but it's similar.

"[Jimenez] is still a very good player to have in their team."