Brentford's injury crisis has shown no sign of improving after Maxime Colin suffered a knee injury in training ahead of tomorrow's game with Preston.
A clearly frustrated Marinus Dijkhuizen has had his hand forced given the spate of injuries the club have had.
The extreme nature of the Bees' injury crisis means the Dutchman, barring a goalkeeper, could be able to select a strong Championship team just from those unavailable.
He said: “It's very tough. We've had a lot of different injuries. It's been unlucky. We still have a good squad but we're struggling with the bench.
“It's my first time I've had this many injuries. It's hard. I try and stay calm but with Maxime I was very upset (with the situation) as he's a key player and we had big plans for the full backs. It gives others opportunities.”
Below is the list of players (in alphabetical order by surname) who have had question marks over them going into the weekend and also those out for the long-term with the Brentford head coach providing an update on their status.
1 and 2) Andreas Bjelland and Scott Hogan (Out for the season with cruciate injuries)
Dijkhuizen: “It's very tough for them. They're working very hard. That's how it is. They're good professionals.”
3) Josh Clarke (Hamstring)
Dijkhuizen: He's fit. He had a hamstring problem two weeks ago, which is why he wasn't in the squad.
4) Maxime Colin (Knee injury in training)
Dijkhuizen: “It happened in training today. We'll see how he wakes up. He just blocked a ball with his knee. It's possible he could play but it'll depend how he wakes up.
5) Harlee Dean (Knock at Middlesbrough)
Dijkhuizen: “Harlee Dean? Yes, he's fit! He had an issue there but he's fine – no problem with him!”
6) Marco Djuricin (Fitness)
Dijkhuizen: “I had to take off Marco 15 minutes from the end as, otherwise, I kill him. He's fit for tomorrow. He's had three games in a short time. He came from the Red Bull bench. He's doing okay.”
7) Andy Gogia (Unspecified injury)
Dijkhuizen: "He's getting better. Maybe it'll be one or two weeks but it's difficult to say."
8) Philipp Hofmann (Stomach)
Dijkhuizen: “I hope it will be one or two weeks.”
9) Jota (Ankle)
Dijkhuizen: “It will take a long time. He's still in a brace. It won't be short-term. Short term is three or four weeks.
10) Lewis Macleod (Hamstring)
Dijkhuizen: “He's getting better. He's been training with the group. I hope he'll play with the under-21s in a week or two. He's looking good. He has a lot of qualities. He's on the way back.”
11) Josh McEachran (Foot)
Dijkhuizen: “He's working very hard for himself. He's out of the boot. He's getting better. Not a short-term one but of the long-terms, I think he's the first who'll be back.”
12) Sam Saunders (Calf)
Dijkhuizen: “He's not fit. He's not training. It was not good. It's the same injury. Since then, he won't train with the group. He won't be here in the short-term.”
13) James Tarkowski (Calf)
Dijkhuizen: “I hope he'll be back next week. It's his calf. That's why he didn't play Tuesday.”
14) Marcos Tebar (Hamstring)
Dijkhuizen: “He's trained all week. He's not game fit but will play for the under-21s on Tuesday.”
15) Nico Yennaris (Leg)
Dijkhuizen: “He's match fit. I don't tell you if he's in the squad but he's fit.”
