Frank: Bees duo’s injuries are not serious

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Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes did not suffer serious injuries in Brentford’s 2-0 win over Coventry, boss Thomas Frank has said.

Toney scored both goals and Marcondes created one and was involved in the build-up for the other, before both left the pitch early.


However, Frank said that both had suffered “contact injuries”, which he said were “nothing I am too worried about”.

That is good news for the Bees, who face six more matches in the next three weeks, starting with a trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday.

Frank added: “It won’t be squad rotation, and not 90 minutes for specific players, but something in between and hopefully some early subs.

“I have told the squad that everyone will need to be ready and I trust them when they need to step in.”

Frank also handed David Raya his first league start of the season, with Luke Daniels dropping to the bench.

Daniels had started every previous Championship game this campaign, while both have played in the Carabao Cup.

Frank explained: “David had a top season last year and showed he was one of the best keepers in the division.

“He has been out injured this season, but when he was fit and ready and up to tempo and up to speed, it was natural to change the normal number one.

“Luke did well and helped the team, but today was the right time to get David into the team.”

New signing Vitaly Janelt made an impressive Bees debut as a 70th-minute substitute and earned praise from Frank.

The Dane said: “He showed he is really good on the ball, very composed and has a wonderful left foot.

“His natural position is as a number six. A few times he could have done better on the ball, but he has just been thrown into his first game and generally he managed it very well, and it was a very good first glimpse of a potential first team player.”

Overall, the Bees boss was happy with the performance against Coventry.

“The first 75 minutes I thought we were really good, and in spells really, really good. We started the game really fast and dominated from the first second,” he said.

“Sometimes you go into the second half and maybe turn it up another level. We scored two top goals and played with top intensity, although in the last 15-20 minutes we need to do better.

“That will be the most important part of the game I need to watch back – we need to play with more intelligence and keep the ball better.”