Free-scoring attackers Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo are set to face the Blues on Saturday
Thomas Frank believes three of his most important players will overcome injury scares to be available for Brentford’s trip to Everton.
Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo – who together have more Premier League goals than Everton so far this season – missed the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with their respective national sides over the international break due to unspecified fitness issues. Centre back Ethan Pinnock did not play for Jamaica either.
All three are likely to be fit to return at Goodison Park, however.
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In his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Frank said: “All of them I expect to be available and ready.
“All three situations are different minor issues. It’s a little bit similar to the last international break when (Mikkel) Damsgaard and (Christian) Norgaard were called up for Denmark and did not travel but managed to be ready for the next game.”
“Sometimes a week’s rest can make all the difference, so I expect them to be ready. We’re very thankful for the co-operation from the three national teams.”
Igor Thiago, the striker whose signing was key to Brentford’s decision not to take up an option to sign Everton forward Neal Maupay on a permanent deal following his loan spell last season, is still unavailable due to the knee issue suffered after his reported £30million switch from Club Brugge. Maupay has since joined Marseille on a loan that will become a permanent move next summer.
Ahead of what will – barring an FA Cup match-up – be Brentford’s final visit to Goodison Park, Frank said of the Grand Old Lady: “It’s an iconic ground. So much history has happened in that ground. For me as a foreign manager coming into the Premier League and to England, it’s one of the grounds I most enjoy playing at.
“The atmosphere is just a little bit more special with some of these old grounds. I’m looking forward to going there on Saturday and hopefully I can enjoy it more with a win.”
