Brentford midfielders Josh Dasilva and Shandon Baptiste are set for a spell on the sidelines.

Head coach Thomas Frank delivered the disappointing news ahead of the Bees’ Premier League game 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 cruel blow for Dasilva, who registered six goal contributions in 36 appearances last term having missed most of Brentford’s 2021/22 campaign with a hip injury.

“It’s tough,” Frank continued, “injuries are the worst thing that can happen to players in many ways.

“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 said.

“He’s been training hard today, and he’ll most likely start on Tuesday against Newport.”