Lewis Macleod spent 13 months out injured before returning to the Brentford set-up in December, and admits he wished he had made more of an impact in the Championship.

The 23-year-old made his comeback against Fulham in December after suffering a serious knee injury.

He managed 11 appearances for the Bees, moving from last season’s position on the left to his preferred central role – something he wishes he could have done more frequently.

“It would have been nice to have been involved more,” said Macleod.

“Towards the end I played a wee bit more which was better, but on the whole, it’s been up and down.

“Getting over the injury and getting back playing was a big plus for me – it was always the aim to get back fit and then make my way into the team.

“We had a run of good results when I returned so it was quite tough to get back in, but when I got my chance I feel I took it.

“I am playing in my preferred position, which is the eight, and that makes a big difference – I didn’t mind playing out to the left but I prefer playing in the middle.”

As well as returning from injury in the win against the newly-promoted Whites, another highlight of Macleod’s season was scoring his first Brentford goal, in March’s 1-1 home draw against Middlesbrough.

“Making my return from injury and coming on against Fulham was a good feeling,” he reflected.

“Getting the reception that I got when I came on was something that sticks with me.

“I enjoyed the goal against Middlesbrough too – I was surprised to be starting so it was nice to score as well.”

Of the last nine games of the season, Brentford only lost one, leading to their fourth successive top ten Championship finish.

And an optimistic Macleod is certain the Bees can build on that going forward, if they can match their results to their play.

“If we could have got a few more points in the first eight games then we would have finished a lot higher up,” he admitted.

“Towards the end of the season we showed how good we can be.

“If we can go into next season with that attitude there’s only us who can stop us; if we can build then there’s no reason we can’t finish higher up the table.

“If we can get the results to match the good football that we play then it will be a good season.”