James Tarkowski will not be considered for selection for Brentford's trip to Preston after he refused to face Burnley last Friday.
The 23-year-old returned to training on Thursday for the first time since he told Bees head coach Dean Smith he didn't want to face the Clarets and he has been disciplined by the club for his actions.
Smith kept him away from the training ground for a week and won't consider him for Saturday's trip and will leave it to the defenders he selects to determine how long Tarkowski won't be involved by performing well and keeping the shirt.
Below are the questions Smith was asked about the situation involving the defender.
Q: What is the current situation with James Tarkowski?
Dean Smith: “James is back on the training ground with us. He was back training today (Thursday). We've dealt with it internally in terms of the discipline side of it. He won't be available for selection on Saturday but it is one of them that we'll play by ear now.”
Q: Could he be available moving forward?
DS: “Yeah, he will be available moving forward that's for sure. I just think he needs to settle down. He needs to get back to fitness as well as he's had a few days where he's not trained. I thought it was right to keep him away from the club for a while and we also felt he needed time to reflect. We'll concentrate fully on Preston North End and we've put to bed the James Tarkowski saga.”
Q: Could he be in line to face Leeds?
DS: “Possibly. That's something I'll look at over the weekend. At the moment I don't think it's right that we make him available for the game on Saturday against Preston. As I say, we want to put this to bed very quickly. We've dealt with it internally. There's been a disciplinary side of it and we'll move on from there.
Q: How have the squad reacted to it and when they saw him again?
DS: “James has been here for quite a while so he's known a lot of the players for a while. I'll be amazed if he hasn't been in regular contact with them. As I said before the game, James is a really likeable lad and I felt he'd made a mistake and we all make mistakes – it's what you do next and how you move forward. We'll look to help him move forward and come through this.
James Tarkowski transfer saga
Q: Has he apologised for his actions?
DS: “Whether it's an apology or not, he made a decision that he believed was right at the time. I didn't believe it was right and we've dealt with it internally. It's time for us to move on.”
Q: Do you view the matter as closed?
DS: “I've sat down with James and his representative and I'll sit down with James again. I've got no problem with James. I was disappointed that he chose the route he chose but, as I said, I believe we all make mistakes but it's what you do next. The way I look at it now, James is a very good footballer at this football club. We can get through it as we're all understanding people.”
Q: Has there been any further contact?
DS: “I don't think we're playing Burnley this week are we (pause for some laughter). I've not heard anything in that regard, no.”
Q: The situation will present a chance to Jack O'Connell or Yoann Barbet won't it?
DS: “Jack started in the team because Harlee was suspended when I first came and he did really well. He came out and Harlee went back in. We had some really good performances. The good thing for me is I've got really good players who are challenging for places. With the James situation, it gives an opportunity to others and they've got to take it."
How's Jack O'Connell developed as you'd have seen him at Rochdale?
DS: “He's still a young lad learning the game but so is Yoann as well and to a certain extent are James Tarkowski and Harlee Dean. We forget they're only 23, 24 but they've played over 150 games which shows you how the football club is moving forward and helping develop players and that's something we want to continue.”
