Mark Warburton has cooled suggestions he will recall Sam Saunders from his loan spell at Wycombe.

The Brentford winger’s presence has been missed in recent weeks with the substitutes’ bench looking bare of attacking talent in recent games with only Tommy Smith and Jon Toral the attacking options.

And the Bees will only bring back the popular forward to Griffin Park if he will go straight into the squad.

Warburton said: “I spoke to Sam and Gareth Ainsworth. We’re looking at that. He can’t go back to Wycombe if we call him back.

“To bring him back and sit on the bench. If we need Sam I want him match fit. The decision was made not to call him back. When we need them, we can call them.”

Absent: Betinho

The absence of Betinho had gone unnoticed when Gray and Long were contributing but, in the latter’s absence, it has been noticed that the Portuguese youngster hasn’t had a spot on the bench.

And Warburton is reluctant to throw him in as he doubts his ability to impact a Championship game.

He added: “It’s a dog eat dog world. Betinho and Marcos Tebar. They train well but his job is to be better than Andre Gray.

“Marcos has to be better than Dougie (Jonathan Douglas), Judgey (Alan Judge), Lewis Macleod. To play Championship football now, it’s a level of fitness.

“They’ve gone out on loan to get competitive football. It’s been tough for them but I need players to impact a Championship.