Brentford have agreed a deal to bring Walsall manager Dean Smith to Griffin Park.

The Bees have been looking for a new manager to replace Marinus Dijkhuizen, who was sacked in September.

Lee Carsley has been in charge since then but the former Everton midfielder has made it clear he does not want to do the job on a long term basis.

The club had been keen to bring Swansea assistant Pep Clotet in and, despite a deal looking close at the beginning of last week with the interim boss saying the win over Nottingham Forest was his last game in charge, it has fallen through.

Because of this, Carsley will be in the dugout for Brentford's visit to Bolton tonight.

Smith, now, has emerged as the favourite for the job and ticks a lot of the indicators Brentford look for in a head coach.

His Walsall side like to play entertaining, passing football, which owner Matthew Benham demands to see.

In pictures: Dean Smith's career so far

The Saddlers are also punching above their financial weight in the Football League, which was one of the reasons Brentford moved to sign Dijkhuizen given his achievements with Excelsior.

Smith, who is understood to be keen on taking the job, is also renowned for bringing young players through the Midlands club's system with 18-year-old left back Rico Henry catching the eye of Premier League clubs.

Brentford are keen to make an appointment early this week and, in an ideal world, would have Smith's deal agreed so he could watch tonight's game from the stands and introduce himself to the squad.

However, Walsall may wish to resist any offer until after they face Shrewsbury tomorrow night. Carsley will take charge of tonight's game.