Brentford manager Thomas Frank says forward Yoane Wissa could be fit for his side’s game against Manchester United on Saturday.
Wissa, 28, sustained an ankle injury after a challenge from Matteo Kovacic, during Brentford’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on September 14.
He was helped off the pitch by two members of Brentford’s staff with Frank saying after the game that he expected the Democratic Republic of Congo international to be out for “a couple of months”.
However, Wissa could return to action sooner in what would be an unexpected boost for the west London side. The striker had scored three goals in four matches, including one in the City loss, before suffering the injury.
“Wissa is training on the grass with the team which is positive,” Frank said on Thursday. “I need to find out if he is ready for Saturday or if it is too soon.”
“Everyone who was available for the last game is available for this one as well. Touch wood, everyone is fit and healthy.”
Wissa scored 12 goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season and the injury was a further blow to Brentford’s forward line, with striker Igor Thiago ruled out until late 2024 with a knee injury sustained in July.
Brentford view Thiago as a successor to former striker Ivan Toney, who departed the club to join Al Ahli in the summer.
Frank added that the United game will come too soon for 23-year-old Thiago and 28-year-old midfielder Mathias Jensen, who has been out of action since August with a calf injury.
Frank also provided an update on defender Rico Henry, who has been out since September 2023 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“Rico is in a positive place,” the Dane said. “He played 45 mins in an in-house game on Tuesday which was good to see.
“He won’t travel. It’s too early to involve him for Manchester United so it will be more clever to get him involved over the next two weeks.
“He has trained all week, but he’s been out for a year. This was the first 45 minutes in an 11 v 11 game he’s played.”
