Yoann Barbet has been told to continue working hard in training if he wants to retain his place in the Brentford side.

The Frenchman found himself behind Harlee Dean, John Egan and Andreas Bjelland in the centre back stakes this season, but has been rotated with Bjelland at left back due to Brentford's problems in that position.

Both got a game against Birmingham City on Saturday as manager Dean Smith experimented with a five-man defence, with Bjelland joining Dean and Egan in the centre, and Bjelland playing as a flying full-back.

Rival: Andreas Bjelland

However, if Smith reverts to a flat back four for the trip to Norwich City this Saturday, Barbet and Bjelland will continue their battle for the left back spot.

Smith said: “Yoann is working really hard in training and he has to continue doing that. For the last month or so, Andreas has been the choice at left back, but Yoann come in for a couple of games, and they can continue having that battle for left back.

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“I've just felt Andreas has been steady there. They are both good on the ball, but Andreas is probably a bit more confident on the ball. Yoann probably gets forward a bit more and Andreas probably backs up the play a bit more. They've got different things they offer.

“There's no doubt about it, we'd be better with a specialist left back. But with Callum Elder injured, Tom Field just coming back and Rico Henry not being far away, that will help us as well.”