Brentford head coach Keith Andrews has provided an update on Jannik Schuster, Nathan Collins and Mathias Jensen ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Hull City at MKM Stadium (2pm kick-off GMT, live on Sky Sports).Schuster has returned to training after missing last weekend’s game against Liverpool, while Collins and Jensen have taken further steps in their respective recoveries.
Schuster was withdrawn at half-time of Brentford’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa earlier this month before missing the Liverpool defeat.
“Jannik just had a bit of a troubled week going into the Liverpool game, really,” Andrews explained.
“A bit of a knock from international duty crept up on him during the Villa game, and then he wasn’t particularly well for a few days, so it was just a very disruptive week.
“But he’s been back training the last few days, so he’s back to himself, more or less.”
Andrews reported no fresh major injury concerns, and was also encouraged by the progress of Collins and Jensen.
“There’s nothing major to note; we’re pretty much as we were last weekend,” he continued.
“Some players have taken the next step of their journey back with really good weeks of training. Nathan, in particular, and Mathias Jensen made another really good step with training, considering that he’s only been back a week or two.”
Brentford travel to a Hull side who have made a good start to the campaign following promotion to the Premier League, taking nine points from their opening seven fixtures.
Andrews believes the Tigers’ spirit and belief have been central to their strong return to the top flight.
“I think they’ve been brilliant,” he said. “It’s very evident that they have a spirit, a really honest spirit about the group, and they have a togetherness and honesty about the group.
“They’ve got some very, very experienced players that have been in the league before, and they’ve got players that are there for the first time that want to enjoy the journey.
“The way they play the game and the way they’re organised is very impressive.”
“I think they’ve been brilliant… the way they play the game and the way they’re organised is very impressive”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game at MKM Stadium, Andrews added: “I expect a proper test, a way of playing that can be very testing.
“They have a belief that they can absolutely compete at this level. They’ve shown that they can, week in, week out.
“They’ve produced some really, really good performances and they’ve been in every single game they’ve played in.”
Sunday’s fixture could also see Brentford reunited with former captain John Egan, who has played an important role for Hull following their promotion.
Andrews knows the Republic of Ireland defender well, having coached him at international level and during his time at Sheffield United.
“He’s someone that I really like as a man,” said Andrews on the former Bees skipper, who made 71 appearances and scored seven goals during two seasons with Brentford between 2016 and 2018.
“I coached him at international level and I also coached him at Sheffield United, so I know John pretty well.
“I’m so happy for him that he’s made that move to Hull, got the promotion back, playing at the highest level and still playing a really important role for our country.
“He’s a player you would go into the trenches with. He’s been a magnificent player. He’s a man that I really admire and like.”
Press conference: Keith Andrews on Hull City