Josh Dasilva and Shandon Baptiste, two Brentford midfielders, are set for a spell on the sidelines. The disheartening news was conveyed by head coach Thomas Frank prior to the Bees’ Premier League matchup against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“Shandon and Josh are unavailable, unfortunately both with longer-term injuries,” Frank began. “A hamstring injury will keep Josh out for a while, and Shandon dislocated his shoulder in training.”
It’s a bitter setback for Dasilva, who contributed to six goals in 36 games last season after missing much of the 2021–2022 season for Brentford due to a hip injury.
“It’s tough,” Frank continued, “injuries are the worst thing that can happen to players in many ways.
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“I feel for him because he’s been working so hard to come back to his normal level, but there are setbacks in football and in life and how you deal with these setbacks is what defines you as a person. Josh will fight back; he will come back.
“Right now, the main focus for us is to support Josh and get him healthy, fresh, fit and available again. He is a player who has been with us for for five years, and we really, really like him as a player and as a person.”
Ben Mee is also unavailable for Palace’s visit to Gtech Community Stadium, but Frank revealed that the centre-half is closing in on a return.
“[Mee] is such an important player for us, he’s been so good for us, so we don’t want to rush it. He’s been training hard today, and he’ll most likely start on Tuesday against Newport.”
