Ryan Dickson is set for a return to the Brentford side for this week's friendlies with Watford and Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Fears have been raised about the talented left-back's absence so far in pre-season, especially as moneybags Darlington were sniffing around him before he signed for the Bees in January.

However, it is a back injury rather than the attention of other clubs which has kept Dickson, who has impressed in his short time at the Bees, on the sidelines.

And Brentford boss Andy Scott reckons it won't be long before supporters see the 22-year-old charging up the left flank again.

He said: "Ryan has had a back operation, and we've been a little bit cautious with him as he has the same injury at Plymouth.

"We didn't want to throw him back in too soon, especially as the hard ground we have this time of year wouldn't help it.

"But we have a very good physio who has been taking good care of Ryan, and he is back in full training.

"It' shows the sort of lad he is that he's wanted to be involved and wanted to play against Staines on Tuesday.

"But that was too soon, and he'll be in the squad for Watford or Hampton instead."

In Dickson's absence, summer signing Sam Wood has had a chance to shine and taken it with both hands.

Like Dickson, Wood can play either left-wing, as he did against Ipswich, or left-back, as he did against Bromley and AFC Wimbledon.

Scott said: "I've been very pleased with Sam. He's done very well, especially against Ipswich, when we hadn't had a chance to work on the shape of the team.

"He has a real work ethic. Although he started slowly against AFC Wimbledon, he plugged away and got himself back into the game.

"He's always willing to learn and works hard to take things on board."

Although no places are certain, when all three are fit, Dickson and Wood are expected to battle it out for the left-back slot next season behind Glenn Poole on the wing.

Scott insisted that he is pleased with the efforts of last season's top scorer Poole, despite being heard issuing him with a few rollockings during the pre-season games so far.

Scott said: "Glenn just needs a little reminder every know and then, as a lot of players do, and I'm not the sort to just sit there and let people make mistakes.

"We have been talking to Glenn about getting plenty of crosses in, as well as his defensive duties.

"But he's a lot fitter than last season, and he set up both goals against AFC Wimbledon.

"In fact, there's not one player who has disappointed me so far during pre-season."