Team news for Brentford clash

Ralf Rangnick conducted his press conference after our win at Norwich City on Saturday and hoped Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Edinson Cavani could be available to make the squad for the trip to London.

However, there has been some illness in the camp which would have an impact on the selection, and, indeed, the club issued a statement suggesting talks were ongoing with the Premier League over whether the fixture can go ahead after positive COVID-19 tests were confirmed.

“I think now is too early to speak about that,” Ralf said of his plans for the first visit to the Community Stadium. “I would wait to see how the players have recovered on Sunday or Monday. Sunday, they will train with the players that haven’t played or only played a couple of minutes today [Saturday].

“I saw the Brentford game on Friday and it’s a very high-intensity team, more physical than Norwich played today. We need to be aware and prepared for that different level of intensity. We have to wait and see.

“A few players are available again, I think Luke Shaw, who was in the squad today, Wan-Bissaka be available again on Tuesday, and even Edi [Cavani] might be an option, so we have to wait and see. It’s too early.”

Victor Lindelof was withdrawn at Carrow Road after experiencing some breathing problems.

Anthony Martial is a doubt with a knee problem, while his French colleagues Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba are also likely to be absent again.

“After the final training session before the Crystal Palace game, after having trained with the team,” added Rangnick. “He [Martial] informed the doctor and the medical department and that he won’t be available and that the pain on his knee is too big.

“So, we have to wait and see. Maybe he can train tomorrow [Sunday] but I have to speak to the doctor first.”

BRENTFORD'S TEAM NEWS

Key striker Ivan Toney is available again for Brentford after a Covid-enforced absence and Sergi Canos returns from a ban.

Central defender Ethan Pinnock is out after testing positive for the virus, with keeper David Raya and Kristoffer Ajer also on the sidelines due to injury.

“Hopefully, Ivan is available,” said head coach Thomas Frank. “We'll find out later today. Besides that, it will be the same players [who played in the 2-1 win over Watford on Friday]. Of course, Sergi is coming back from suspension but it's the same players from the last game.

“It's definitely [a huge boost to have Toney back] but, to be fair, I don't think it's benefited his fitness in the last 10 days. But it's a big boost he's available for the game. Let's see if I start him or he will come off the bench.”