Frank and Watara went to the Africa Cup of Nations, Nelson missed the match against Manchester City.
2025-12-17 02:23
Ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Manchester City, Brentford manager Keith Andrews updated the squad's personnel situation.
Andrews confirmed that midfielder Frank Onyeka and winger Dango Ouattara have reported to the Nigerian and Burkina Faso national teams respectively to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
“Dango and Frank have gone to the Africa Cup of Nations, so we will be missing them for this game,” Andrews said. The loss of players during the Africa Cup of Nations has impacted many Premier League teams, and Brentford is no exception.
Besides national team call-ups, injuries have also plagued the team. Andrews revealed that Reiss Nelson is still not fit to play, and the away game against Manchester City is too early for him.
Andrews emphasized that Nelson's recovery process was not marred by setbacks, but rather out of caution. He said, "We assessed his training load and physical condition and believed there would be a risk in playing now. Our goal is to ensure his return is stable, not to cause recurring injuries."
“He’s been training very hard behind the scenes, so his return shouldn’t be too long. He needs to get back into rhythm now, and his talent is obvious. I believe he’ll be back soon and play an important role in the team.”
With a packed schedule, Brentford will play three matches in six days, including a Carabao Cup game followed by a Premier League match against Wolves. The reality of an incomplete squad means Andrews will need to be more cautious in his team selection.
