Brentford suffer attacking injury blow ahead of Leeds United as Keith Andrews provides 'frustrating' update
Leeds United welcome the Bees to Elland Road for a huge Premier League clash on Saturday.
Brentford will be left sweating on the fitness of a key attacker heading towards their weekend trip to Leeds United.
The Bees were in action on Monday night, drawing 2-2 at home to virtually-relegated Wolves. First-half goals from Michael Kayode and Igor Thiago put them 2-0 up inside 37 minutes but Adam Armstrong pulled one back before half-time with Tolu Arokodare levelling things up in the second half.
Shortly before Arokodare’s 77th-minute equaliser, Brentford attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard picked up a knock. The 25-year-old attempted to play on but was eventually replaced by defender Kristoffer Ajer, with concern over his availability heading into Saturday’s Elland Road trip.
Damsgaard has been an important creative outlet for Brentford this season, registering three goals and four assists in 26 Premier League appearances, 18 of them starts. The attacking midfielder did not start the 1-1 draw at home to Leeds in December, instead coming off the bench for 30 minutes.
“He will be a concern and I haven’t spoken to the medics yet,” Bees boss Keith Andrews told West London Sport after Monday’s draw. “He had an injury a few weeks ago against Forest. It has been frustrating and he has played through a lot of pain, so we have to see how he is.”
That game Andrews mentioned against Forest actually took place on January 25, with Damsgaard forced off due a knee injury after 36 minutes before missing one Premier League match. The Danish international has since played a further seven games across all competitions but completed 90 minutes just twice.
Damsgaard will be assessed later this week but could join a growing list of Brentford injury absentees. Teammates Vitaly Janelt, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey are out until after the March international break while the season is likely over for Josh Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho.
Brentford frustration after more points dropped
Brentford have now won just one of their last five Premier League games - a chaotic 4-3 victory at Burnley - drawing each of their last two. Andrews’ side looked set for an important three points on Monday and he was particularly frustrated with the throwing away of a two-goal lead against rock-bottom Wolves.
“We should have managed the game better and performed better in the second half,” he added. “We need to try and mature a bit more in different aspects, and we got punished for that.
“We didn’t affect things that we know we can do and we need to learn from that. In the first half I thought we were in control for large parts and were dangerous, we just weren’t clinical in our thinking and actions.
“What we achieve this year is very much on us. That’s the message for everyone at the club. We need to push really hard for the last eight games and that’s why it's disappointing tonight.”