Scott Hogan has heaped praise on Andreas Bjelland for making a strong return to first-team action after 12 months out injured with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Brentford pair would have spent plenty of time together rehabilitating from the devastating injury over the course of last season.

Hogan made it back to the first-team in March and went on a goalscoring spree in the final seven games, while Bjelland made his return in August before shining in the three games at Brighton, Aston Villa and at home to Preston.

The striker said: “He's an international defender and we know that. It's all about taking his time and working.

Andreas Bjelland

“Alan Judge is the same. If they look at me and see me as an inspiration then brilliant.

“Andreas is a big man. You can see his class. He was playing left back due to Callum (Elder) being out and he can do that. He's a centre half by trade but someone at that level knows what he's doing.”

Brentford now boast the meanest defence in the Championship which is a far cry from previous years and something Hogan has also noticed.

He added: “Over the past two years I've sat in the stands at Brentford we haven't been too solid at the back – we are now and chances have come at the other end.”