The Bees gain vital bench depth for their European push as key starters return, though Rico Henry’s season appears over following a lingering hamstring injury.
Keith Andrews has confirmed Brentford’s squad is starting to look stronger before Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace, although Rico Henry is unlikely to play again before the end of the season.
Brentford go into their final two matches still chasing a possible European finish, which makes the fitness picture especially important. Andrews has been able to bring Jordan Henderson, Vitaly Janelt and Aaron Hickey back into the matchday rhythm, giving the Bees more depth at a stage when every point could matter.
“It’s very similar to what we had last weekend,” Andrews said. “Some players got some minutes: Jordan, Vitaly, Aaron Hickey.”
That gives Andrews a more useful bench at an important point of the season. Henderson brings experience, Janelt gives Brentford another midfield option, and Hickey’s return adds cover at full-back after a difficult spell with injuries.
Andrews linked that extra depth directly to Brentford’s final two games.
“We’re confident we can play well in these last two games,” he said. “We’ve got more options to come off the bench and impact it, but we’ll have to play really well to get the points needed.”
The squad is in a better place, but the margin remains thin. Crystal Palace arrive with enough quality to punish any drop-off, and Brentford still need to earn the right to keep their European push alive.
Henry, though, is not expected to be part of that final stretch.
The full-back has not featured since March because of a hamstring injury, and Andrews said the 27-year-old is still being carefully managed rather than rushed back into full contention.
“He’s still training to a point,” Andrews explained. “Coming back, naturally, you’re in and out of sessions to get back up to the level. I don’t think Rico will be involved this week or next.”
That effectively rules Henry out of the Palace game and makes involvement on the final day unlikely. It is a frustrating end to another interrupted spell for a player whose pace, width and recovery defending have been important to Brentford whenever he has been available.
Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo also remain sidelined with ACL injuries, leaving Andrews without two creative options as Brentford try to finish the season strongly.
The wider message, though, was not one of frustration. Andrews sounded encouraged by the group he does have available, and by the edge Brentford have shown in training before Palace.
“They will be really focused if training is anything to go by this week,” he said. “There’s been a real intent and edge to everything, knowing what a big game it is for us.”
Brentford are still short in certain areas, but the squad is deeper than it was, the bench looks stronger, and the manager believes the focus is where it needs to be.
Now the team have to turn that into points.