Jake Bidwell has paid tribute to Andre Gray, saying the former Brentford striker stayed focused on his job right up to his departure last Friday.

Speculation had surrounded the striker's future for weeks before he finally signed for Burnley, with Hull and Bristol City both throwing their hats into the ring.

Gray's commitment was questioned when Bees boss Marinus Dijkhuizen revealed after the opening day draw with Ipswich that the front man had not started the game as he was not in the right frame of mind.

But Gray answered any critics by following his strike against Ipswich, where he came off the bench to spark a late Bees comeback, with a starring role and another goal in the following week's win at Bristol City.

Bidwell said: “Obviously a striker who scores 18 goals in a season is going to be a big loss.

“It's great for Andre, and we all would have preferred him to stay, but it's been going on for two to three weeks now and it's good to get some closure.

“To be fair to Andre, he has come in the whole time, put his head down, got on with the job and scored goals for us.

The only show in town: Hofmann and Vibe

“It (the speculation) didn't have an affect on us as a squad, we just had a bit of banter about it. It's been a pleasure to play alongside Andre for a year, he always worked hard for the team.”

Dijkhuizen has pledged to replace Gray with not one, but two new strikers. But in the meantime, the Bees have just summer signings Lasse Vibe and Philipp Hofmann to choose from up front.

Bidwell added: “I'm sure Lasse and Philipp will feel like they can replace Andre. Both have settled in well, and I'm sure they will play a very important part in our season.”

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