Brentford’s Marcus Bean reckons the disappointment of being hauled off against Oldham Athletic is tempered by the fact he is back and ready for the run-in.

The 25-year-old midfielder was replaced at half-time on Tuesday for tactical reasons as the Bees cut-loose to dispatch the Latics 3-2 and stretch their four-match unbeaten run.

Brentford’s recent form has dovetailed with Bean’s return to action in a 1-0 win at Stockport County, having sat out all of February with a niggling knee problem that had bothered him since December.

And the former QPR trainee, who missed games at the beginning of the campaign through injury, is relieved to have shaken off his injury problems ready for the campaign climax.

“No-one likes to come off at half-time - which was disappointing - but the move worked so I can’t complain,” he said.

“It is just nice to be back. I’d found some form after missing some games at the start of the season, so it was frustrating to pick up another injury.

“I was performing well but sometimes it is best to take a step back to move forward, and thankfully the problem has cleared up.

“We’ve got pretty good squad depth, which meant I had to wait for my chance and it has gone well. The goals have flowed and we have started to perform well against the teams around us.

“This run has made us pretty safe so it is going to be good to be able to play with a bit of freedom and express ourselves.”

Bean has developed a promising partnership alongside Peterborough Uited loanee Toumanio Diarougara in the Griffin Park engine room in recent weeks, but has been quick to praise versatile skipper Kevin O’Connor.

“Kev once told me he started his career as a striker - which I find hard to believe. He has been great in the middle of the park,” he added.

“To slot in so easily at right back recently and make us look solid, just goes to show his quality.”