Trialist Mark Phillips looks set to sign for Brentford in time for Saturday's Griffin Park clash with Grimsby Town.

The former Millwall man has passed his medical with flying colours, easing any fears he may still be carrying the after-affects of a season on the sidelines at The New Den last term.

Centre-back Phillips, 25, played a few pre-season games for the Bees but injured his ankle in the 1-1 draw with Watford.

However, that knock has now cleared up, and the Bees hope to have a one-year contract signed, sealed and delivered in time to face the Mariners.

Brentford boss Andy Scott said: "We've sat down with Mark and are hoping to get something sorted with him before the weekend."

Phillips' signing will bring some much-needed stability to the Brentford back four after an amazing build-up to the first week of the season.

On Friday, the day before the Bees opened their League Two season at Bury, centre-back Leigh Mills, who was believed to have signed on a season-long loan deal from Spurs earlier this summer, was recalled by the Premiership club.

The Informer has since learned that the deal was last week still not complete as the Premier League has not received the loan papers.

This acted as a get-out clause for the Bees, who after watching Mills in training and pre-season friendlies, decided he wouldn't be first choice.

Spurs, rather than have one of their youngsters warming a League Two bench, recalled Mills and sent him to Gillingham on a month's loan instead.

With Mills gone, Brentford faced the prospect of having Karleigh Osborne and on-loan Bristol City youngster Jamie Wilson as the only centre-backs for the trip to Gigg Lane.

So in came Alan Bennett, who had an eight-game loan spell at Griffin Park at the end of last season, back on loan from Reading for an initial month.

Bennett, who started alongside Osborne in the 1-0 defeat at Bury, has been told by Reading's former Brentford boss Steve Coppell that he doesn't feature in his plans and can find another club.

However, not only are Bennett's wages beyond Brentford's means, but no less than four Championship are believed to be tracking the 25-year-old.

Scott said: "Spurs recalled Mills, but I'd rather talk about the players we have here, like Jamie Wilson, who has been excellent since coming in on loan from Bristol City, and we've looked more solid at the back.

"We will wait and see what happens with Alan Bennett, but you never know what might come up."

Ironically, the visit of Grimsby sees the return to Griffin Park of former Bees skipper Matt Heywood, whose departure to Blundell Park last month created the void at centre-back Brentford are still struggling to fill.

Although signing Phillips will reduce the manager's headache in that department, with Bennett likely to be a short-term signing, Scott will want to bring in another centre-back before the transfer window slams shut on August 31.

Veteran Ian Pearce is still an option, but is weighing up his options while on holiday.

Pearce is believed to be warming to the idea of a move to Griffin Park if no clubs higher up the leagues come in for him offering better wages.