Team News From The Brentford Camp

Last updated : 22 December 2006 By Thetashkentterror
New Bees boss Scott Fitzgerald (centre)
New Bees boss Scott Fitzgerald spoke to Brentford's Official Website about his side's long trip up to Cumbria today, the promoted former youth team manager talking about the preparation for tomorrow's match :


"We left at 9am sharp this morning as it's a long journey ahead. We expect to arrive in Blackburn by 1.30pm where Blackburn Rovers have very kindly offered their training facilities to us. This will be a great opportunity for the lads to train at a Premiership club's Training Ground, with the up to date facilities they enjoy and the offer is one which is much appreciated by us.

"We're looking to train for about an hour and a half before continuing our journey up to Carlisle, arriving there about 5.30pm, hopefully! The weather up there is not as bad as we've had down here and the forecast for tomorrow is sunny intervals with temperatures around 4 to 5 degrees.

"Clyde Wijnhard has been released from his contract. It was due to expire shortly but as I did not intend to extend it I thought it best for him to release him early. I would like to thank Clyde for his efforts while with us and wish him all the best for the future.

"In truth we're struggling a bit with a few illnesses and a few knocks. But that's the way it is and with the size of the squad as it is at the moment those who are asked to step up have a great opportunity to establish themselves, for if they take their chance they could stay in."


Squad-wise for Brentford, Charlie Ide is ruled out with a back injury after he limped off early in the proceedings during last week's 1-0 defeat at Port Vale, while long-term absentees Lloyd Owusu and Stuart Nelson will both miss the match. As mentioned earlier veteran Dutch forward Clyde Wijnhard has been let go from Griffin Park ahead of the January transfer window.

In better team news for the Bees though Sam Tillen, Oli Skulason and Thomas Pinault have recovered from tonsilitis, and Adam Griffiths and Paul Brooker should return from injury, meanwhile Chris Moore returns after serving a one-match suspension for picking up five bookings. Fitzgerald has also recalled striker Ryan Peters from his loan spell with Crawley Town, Peters having scored once for the Red Devils in four games.


The referee for tomorrow's match is Colin Webster from Shotley Bridge, and he will be assisted down the lines by Russell Green from Lancashire and Paul Kettlewell from Lancaster, meanwhile the fourth official will be Andy Haines from Sunderland.