Brentford boss Mark Warburton has revealed Harlee Dean was desperate to play in today’s goalless stalemate with Carlisle but says he couldn’t risk the lionhearted centre-back in Cumbria.
Dean was replaced by James Tarkowski in the heart of the Bees defence in one of two changes made by Warburton as Nico Yennaris also filled in at right-back in the absence of Alan McCormack, with the makeshift backline keeping a clean sheet at Brunton Park.
Warburton confirmed both switches were enforced by injuries, however the Brentford chief is hopeful of having the defensive duo back sooner rather than later as the club’s medical team are working hard to get them back on the field.
“Al had a glute problem,” Warburton told Bees Player. “He could’ve come back and maybe played today but he might have damaged it further and had two weeks out. We’ve got a good squad, we rely on the squad, and it showed again today.
Harlee he’s had a small groin issue. We’ve got to make sure he’s well looked after. The most important thing for us is the wellfare of our players. They are looked after maginificently well by the medical team here.
“Harlee wanted to play, of course he does, but at the same time he realises he has got to get himself fit and well for the important games coming up towards the end of the season.”
