Jake Bidwell is set to miss Brentford's west London derby with Fulham due to a hamstring injury.

The Bees captain suffered the injury in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Hull and was withdrawn with 18 minutes remaining; the first time ever-present Bidwell hasn't completed 90 minutes this season.

And Brentford head coach Dean Smith believes Saturday's game against the Whites will come too soon for the former Everton man.

Smith said: “I don't think Bidders will be fit. He's got a hamstring strain. He's had a scan so we'll wait and see how it is but I think Saturday will be too soon for him.

“Knowing Jake Bidwell as I do, if he's available for Saturday or Huddersfield he will be.”

Without an out and out left back, Smith faces a difficult decision as to who replaces the skipper in that position and said there are a few conundrums at the moment.

Getting stuck in: Harlee Dean

Harlee Dean, as vice captain, is the favourite to lead Brentford out as captain on Saturday, although the head coach is yet to make a decision.

Smith added: “I'll think about that ahead of kick-off. It's something very important to me. I was captain at every club I played for.

“Jake Bidwell has been captain. I think Harlee had the armband on when Jake went off. Harlee is a natural leader anyway.”

Maxime Colin, who was left out of the starting XI at Hull on Tuesday night, can take his place in the squad again.

Smith said: “He's fit and available. He's fit and available for Tuesday but I decided to go for Clarkey instead. He did well when he came on for Maxime at MK Dons.”

Out for the season: Andreas Bjelland

Andreas Bjelland has made progress on his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament, sustained against Oxford in August.

Smith revealed: “He's in full contact training now and progressing well. He's been to see the specialist today who I believe is happy with the progress. He'll be starting pre-season as just a player.”

Lewis Macleod has stepped up his recovery from injury and will return to full contact training on Monday.

And Smith will consider getting him, among others, in early for pre-season training to build up fitness earlier.

He explained: “He's back training and go into full contact next week. There's a chat to be had between myself and a number of players about them coming in earlier for pre-season training.”

Broken foot: Josh McEachran

Josh McEachran is also working hard to get back to full fitness after breaking his foot in training last month.

Smith said: “He's developing well. I just saw him lying in the foetal position in the oxygen tent we have trying to improve his recovery.”

Alan Judge will be in attendance at Griffin Park on Saturday after breaking his leg at Ipswich and Smith is glad to see him around the squad again.

He explained: “Alan Judge is fine. He's in a good vein of form. I'm sure the players will be carrying him aloft after the game to give thanks to the supporters.

“He's coming to the game. It's important for him to get in and amongst the players again. It's easy to stay at home and forget your workplace. He was keen to be around us.”

Brentford also have issues in the striking department with both Marco Djuricin and Lasse Vibe struggling for fitness.

Struggling: Lasse Vibe

Smith said: “Marco picked up a knock in his calf. It's the first 90 he's played in a long time so it's a fatigue injury.

I'd give Lasse 50-50 chances. He's trained but he's not full out. In another 24 hours, he may be full out.

With Djuricin and Vibe struggling it leaves Philipp Hofmann and Scott Hogan as Smith's only striking options.

“Hoff has trained all week and got onto the bench. He'll be in the squad again,” Smith said.

“I've got to determine in my head how many minutes Scott can last if he starts a game or is he better off coming on with 30-45 minutes remaining when the game is more stretched.

“It's done him the world of good when the game has been stretched. but it's something I'll have to judge.

“I've been juggling with it since he scored the two goals against Cardiff because somebody who has the knack of scoring and makes clever runs comes to your mind straight away.”