Vitaly Janelt set to return to Brentford squad as Thomas Frank provides mixed injury update ahead of Chelsea clash

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed that Vitaly Janelt is set to return to the squad for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Janelt has been a regular fixture in the Brentford squad this season, but he was forced to miss the recent home clash with Newcastle United due to an injury issue.

The Bees managed to protect their unbeaten home record in Janelt’s absence, with Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade all finding the net in a 4-2 victory.

That result ensured Brentford finished matchday 15th ninth place in the Premier League table and just four points adrift of the top four.

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Frank provides positive Janelt update

Brentford are now preparing for an almighty test against a Chelsea side that have won each of their last six matches in all competitions.

While they will have their work cut out against the Blues, the visitors are set to be boosted by the return of Janelt, who could feature in the middle of the park at Stamford Bridge.

“Everyone from the last game should be available,” Frank told reporters in his pre-match press conference. “Vitaly Janelt should be available and involved in the squad on Sunday, so that’s positive.”

The Brentford boss also confirmed that Kristoffer Ajer is fit to start after he returned from a seven-game injury absence to feature on the bench last weekend.

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Will Jensen be available for Chelsea clash?

Brentford have been unable to call upon midfielder Mathias Jensen for the last two games due to a hamstring injury.

Unfortunately for the Bees, the 28-year-old remains unavailable for selection and is at risk of missing the rest of the calendar year.

“Jensen, unfortunately, is a couple more weeks away until he is ready, so that is a bit of a blow – he’s an important player for us,” Frank said. “Luckily, other players have been stepping up, like Yehor Yarmoliuk against Newcastle.”

The Brentford head coach also revealed that summer signing Gustavo Nunes has suffered a setback in his recovery process.

“Nunes: the update there is that it will unfortunately be a while,” Frank added. He played the behind-closed-doors game against Cardiff City, and he had that stress fracture in his lower back, which hasn’t healed as well as we wanted it to.

“He could probably progress but we want to be completely on top of it; he’s very young so there’s no reason to force it, he’s got plenty of time and we can be patient.”

The players available to Frank will hope to end the wait for their first away league win of the season, having taken just one point from their seven Premier League road trips.

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