Bees boss wary of Saints star Ward-Prowse

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank has warned his side they will face the most dangerous free-kick taker in the world when they come up against Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse at St Mary’s on Tuesday.

The Bees will be looking to pick up their third away win of the season when they take on the Saints in a rearranged fixture following the postponement of the match on December 18 due to Covid.



Ward-Prowse scored his 11th Premier League goal from a free-kick, against Crystal Palace last month, to move level with Cristiano Ronaldo, and is now just seven away from equalling David Beckham’s record of 18.

Frank, whose side won at St Mary’s in a Carabao Cup tie last season, admitted he is a huge admirer of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, who will move above Brentford with victory.

“His team are very well organised, very well drilled, we know they come at us with a 4-4-2 formation but their middle high press is very impressive and they are probably one of the best high-press teams in the league,” Frank said.

“They also have some fine players and Ward-Prowse is a fantastic midfielder, maybe the best set-piece taker in the league – and maybe the best direct free-kick taker in the world.

“We need to be aware of that around the area and we have seen so many times how he can put them in the top corner. It is not quite as good as a penalty for them, but it is close.”

Frank will welcome back Sergi Canos and Mathias Jensen, who missed Saturday’s FA Cup win over Port Vale, but will still be without Rico Henry, who is recovering from a hamstring problem but should be fit to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

He also said he has a tough decision to make about whether Kristoffer Ajer will start after making his return from injury at Port Vale at the expense of Mads Bech who has impressed in the last five matches.

“Kristoffer will play some of these games in the next spell,” he said.

“It’s just when I do I throw him in there. Is it tomorrow or is it Sunday? That’s the decision I need to take.

“Mads is a brilliant story for us. He’s played five games on the bounce and done really well. He’s a player we believe a lot in.”