Rico Henry is making progress towards returning to first team action and Dean Smith hopes to have him available by the end of the month.

The left back, who joined Brentford in a deal that could rise to £5million, has been training with the squad in recent days.

Smith, though, would like to see him get through a game for Brentford B before considering him available for first team selection.

The head coach said: “Rico Henry has trained with us the last few days. We're hoping to play him in a B team game and he'll be available come the end of the month.

Wallsal's Rico Henry (right) and Barnsley's Lloyd Isgrove battle for the ball during the Sky Bet League One playoff, first leg match at Oakwell, Barnsley.

“Players are starting to get to know his game. We've had Callum Elder returning to training on Monday. It gives us a boost.”

Henry faces a fight to earn his spot in the Brentford starting line-up with Tom Field in magnificent form.

Both left backs are 19 and have a big future in the game and fans are wondering how Smith will manage to keep both players happy.

And the head coach will consider playing one further forward and revealed both Field and Henry have done so.

He explained: “I think Rico has played further forward and Tom has done it before.”