Two weeks on from their sub-standard display at home to Preston, Brentford boss Thomas Frank has urged his players to prove they are promotion contenders by bouncing back to winning ways. 

The Bees welcome newly-promoted Coventry City to the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday following the international break, looking to get back on track in their pursuit of top-flight football after a 4-2 defeat to the Lilywhites last time out. 

Frank’s men currently lie 14th in the Championship table with one win, one draw and two defeats from their four opening matches but will be confident of victory against a side who were competing in League Two as recently as 2017/18. 

Coventry, however, are level with Brentford so far in terms of points, and their 3-2 win over QPR in September sent out a stark warning to the rest of the league that Mark Robins’ men aren’t there to merely make up the numbers.

Ahead of kick-off, Frank explained he is seeking an improvement in performance to show the previous defeat was simply a blip, and to prevail against a team he believes possess genuine quality. 

He said: “In terms of performances throughout the whole season, there’s only been one I have been disappointed with which was against Preston North End. 

“I have the biggest respect for Coventry and I’m sure they will be difficult to beat because they want to play and are brave. We want to take the initiative and get back on track by dominating the game from start to end. 

“Everyone is available for the game apart from Mads Roerslev and Shandon Baptiste, who is closer. Christian Norgaard is out for between 6-8 weeks, but Rico Henry is back.” 

Elsewhere, Saïd Benrahma has left Brentford for Premier League side West Ham United, joining the East Londoners in a season-long loan deal, which includes an obligation to buy. 

The Algeria international had been the subject of top-flight interest throughout the transfer window, but was snapped up by the Hammers just minutes before the deadline, bringing his two-year stay with the Bees to an end. 

Frank added: “We said from the beginning he could go if the right bid was there. We’ve added quality with Ivan Toney and Saman Ghoddos. On top of that we added Vitaly Janelt for the midfield and Charlie Goode in the centre of defence.”