Brentford boss Andy Scott will not rush back injured forward Robbie Simpson, despite the Bees firing blanks in their last two league games.
The 25-year-old, on-loan from Huddersfield Town, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Brentford, who drew 0-0 with Hartlepool United on Saturday have failed to hit the back of the net in two goalless draws since Charlie MacDonald’s winner against the Owls.
But Scott insists he will not draft Simpson back in before time.
“Robbie had an injection to ease the inflammation and we’ll monitor it day-by-day and see the progression, but I’m not looking to rush him back,” he said.
“There is no use in him coming back and then being out again. We want him involved in the long term, so if he misses a couple of games then so be it.
“We’ve got to look at the long term picture.”
The Bees made if four cleansheets in a row at the weekend, but failed to break the deadlock at the other end - although they had their chances to win the game.
And despite the second successive stalemate, Scott can only see signs of improvement.
“Defensively we looked sound. That’s what we built our foundations of success on – a strong defensive record,” he added.
“Everyone is frustrated that we haven’t won the game, but we can pick holes in everything, even when we’ve done well.
“We’ll continue to do that and work hard in training and once it clicks I’ve got no doubt we’ll get there.
“I think when we play the way we can and the way we want to play, everyone can see we’re going to be a danger.
“We’ve just got to start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
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