Bees boss has high hopes for incoming striker Djuricin

Marinus Dijkhuizen is hoping the arrival of striker Marco Djuricin gives Brentford more of a cutting edge up front.

The Bees, who recently sold forward Andre Gray to Burnley, are set to finalise the signing of Austria international Djuricin, 22, from Red Bull Salzburg on a season-long loan.

Head coach Dijkhuizen said: “I hope he brings some goals and some points. He’s a good finisher and we’ll have more options with him, so that’s good.”

Dijkhuizen’s side were beaten 3-1 at home by Reading – their second successive defeat – and most of the damage was done during the first half.

They were 2-0 down by the interval and Dijkhuizen took Toumani Diagouraga off on 37 minutes as the hosts were being overrun in midfield.

“We were 2-0 down and struggling and a couple of guys were not good. Toumani was one, so you look at the options on the bench,” the Dutchman explained.

“The first half was awful. The second half was not brilliant, but good, and we had a chance to equalise.”