Bees midfielder Norgaard sidelined by Achilles injury

Brentford will be without influential midfielder Christian Norgaard for Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea.

The Denmark international, 29, was forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa with an Achilles injury.

He missed 10 games before Christmas and his absence coincided with Brentford’s three heaviest defeats of the season, when they went down 5-1, 4-0 and 3-0 to Newcastle, Aston Villa and Arsenal respectively.

“He an issue with his Achilles. We will look at the first game without him and then we will see how he is,” Bees boss Thomas Frank said.

“It’s not definite how long he will be out.”

Centre-back Kristoffer Ajer has returned to full training but the game at Stamford Bridge has come too soon for the Norway international, who might be fit for Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest.