How Brentford plan to navigate the three-week international break

Keith Andrews says Brentford’s unprecedented three-week international break is something of an unknown, and the focus will be on learning while keeping players sharp.

The Bees beat Chelsea 3-0 on Friday to go fourth, and do not play again until 10 October at Aston Villa. The Premier League and Championship have combined September and October internationals into one window, creating a three-week pause.

Brentford have sent a sizeable contingent away. Vitaly Janelt has a first Germany call-up, Kevin Schade returns to the squad, while Kristoffer Ajer, Caoimhin Kelleher and Mamadou Sangare also depart, leaving 12 players at Jersey Road, five returning from injury, including Igor Thiago.

According to BBC Sport, first-team players have a week off with individual programmes and may travel, though long-haul trips are unlikely to be approved. Some senior players short on minutes will feature for the B Team against Bromley in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, 22 September. The group reconvenes on Saturday, 26 September, with a behind-closed-doors friendly planned for the weekend of 3 October.

Andrews accepts staggered international returns make planning complex, so workloads will be tailored to have the squad ready for Villa.

The pause could help key absentees regain fitness. Sepp Van Den Berg has not featured due to a summer groin strain, and Nathan Collins suffered a calf issue against Sunderland at the start of the month, with Andrews optimistic both could return after the break. Mathias Jensen is also working back after four matches out with a muscle strain.

Source: Hounslow Herald

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