Keith Andrews said Brentford will give Mikkel Damsgaard every chance to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, with the midfielder the main fresh concern ahead of Elland Road.
Brentford’s focus has turned fully to Saturday night’s trip to Leeds United, and Keith Andrews used his pre-match press conference to cover far more than one fitness concern. Damsgaard remains the main immediate issue ahead of Elland Road, but Andrews also reflected on Henderson and Thiago earning fresh international recognition and on the kind of test Brentford expect from Leeds under the lights.
Team news
The clearest update concerned Damsgaard, who picked up a knock in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves and is now in a race to be ready.
“Dams was on the grass today, which is obviously positive,” Andrews said.
“We’ll give him every chance to see how he is for tomorrow.”
That leaves Brentford with a late call to make on one of their most important creative players. The rest of the injury picture is more familiar. Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey remain out with hamstring problems, while Vitaly Janelt and Josh Dasilva are also sidelined. Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo will miss the remainder of the campaign with ACL injuries.
Henderson and Thiago earn Andrews’ praise
Andrews was also asked about two players whose week has brought recognition beyond club level.
On Thiago’s first Brazil call-up, he said: “He’s an amazing character and has had a big week with his call-up to Brazil. For him, his family and the football club, it’s pretty special.” Andrews added that the striker must keep pushing, saying: “Similar to the team, he needs to keep striving, which he will. We’re going to support him like we always have.”
That international news arrived shortly before Thiago scored against Wolves on Monday, taking him to 19 Premier League goals and 22 in all competitions this season. It means Brentford head to Leeds with their main striker in form and with his standing now recognised at senior international level too.
Andrews also had warm words for Henderson after the midfielder’s inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad. “It’s not for me to pick people’s squads, but I’m really happy he has stayed in the squad,” Andrews said. “He had to work really, really hard to come back into the Premier League after being away for a couple of years. What he’s produced for us has been really impressive. I’m delighted for him, and I’m sure he’s got every chance of going to the World Cup.”
That matters because Henderson’s influence on Brentford has extended well beyond experience alone. He scored his first goal for the club in the reverse fixture against Leeds in December, and his continued place in the England picture since being dropped for Euro 2024 will likely give the former England Captain a boost.
What Andrews expects from Leeds
Andrews also made clear that Brentford are preparing for a difficult night in Yorkshire. He described Leeds as “a very resilient team” that have shown “a lot of character in recent weeks”, which fits the wider sense of what Brentford are walking into at Elland Road.
Bigger picture before kick-off
The main takeaway from Andrews’ press conference is that Brentford head to Leeds with one key late fitness issue, but also with reasons for encouragement. Damsgaard still has a chance, Thiago arrives in form and fresh from a Brazil call-up, and Henderson has retained his England place after what Andrews called a really impressive return to Premier League football.
That does not make the task straightforward. Leeds are scrapping for points and Elland Road should be intense. But Andrews’ briefing made one thing clear: Brentford travel north with selection questions to solve, confidence in two senior internationals, and a clear expectation that Saturday night will demand the right response after Wolves.