Dean Smith heaped praise on Yoann Barbet after the French defender has forged a strong partnership with captain Harlee Dean.

Brentford's first choice partnership at the start of the season as Dean and John Egan but, since the 5-3 win at Burton, the preferred pairing has been the captain alongside Barbet.

Smith believes the Bees are more balanced with the Frenchman a natural left footer, while warning the 23-year-old that he must continue to perform with the Irishman and Andreas Bjelland pushing him.

The head coach said: “Yoann Barbet has done really well and got a really good partnership with Harlee Dean. We look a more balanced unit and he knows he has to be at the top of his game.

Yoann Barbet scores

“In John Egan, who has been unfortunate not to play, there's a good player there who has proven that this season.

“I said right from the start it was going to be difficult as I have four quality centre backs. Yoann has taken his chance with both hands.”

Smith admitted he would consider the centre backs as a pair rather than just look at individual form.

He added: “You always look at the pairings and having a right footer and a left footer gives you balance.

“I wouldn't be disappointed with a centre half partnership of John Egan and Andreas Bjelland, such is the quality we have.”