Brentford have been handed a significant boost with the news that striker Igor Thiago's injury is not as severe as first feared. The Brazilian forward missed Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City.
Positive Prognosis for Key Striker
Assistant coach Keith Andrews moved quickly to allay fears over Thiago's condition after the 2-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium. The prolific striker, who has scored 11 Premier League goals this season, was absent alongside midfielder Jordan Henderson, with both players suffering minor 'knocks'.
Andrews confirmed the duo were close to being available for the City match and are now in contention to return for this weekend's crucial league fixture. "They didn’t quite make this one but not far off," Andrews stated. "We’ll just see how they are tomorrow and then we’ll dust ourselves down."
Weekend Squad Challenges at Molineux
Brentford's focus now shifts entirely to Saturday's Premier League encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. While Thiago and Henderson could return, the Bees will definitely be without two other key players.
Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara have joined up with the Nigeria and Burkina Faso national squads respectively ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, ruling them out of the trip to the West Midlands.
Andrews emphasised the need to regroup after a demanding match against the champions. "We’ll focus on Wolves once we debrief this in the morning," he added, referencing the "tough 90 minutes plus" his side endured at the Etihad.
Thiago's Importance to Brentford's Campaign
The potential return of Igor Thiago is vital for Thomas Frank's side. The Brazilian's goal-scoring form has been a cornerstone of Brentford's attack this campaign. His absence was felt against Manchester City, as the Bees failed to find the net without their leading marksman.
A positive update on his fitness provides a major lift as Brentford aim to secure a positive result away at Wolves, a match that could prove pivotal in their mid-table ambitions.
