Thomas Frank planning as normal for Brentford to face United

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is planning for Tuesday night’s Premier League game against Manchester United to go ahead but wants more clarity over rules regarding Covid-19 postponements.

United have reported a small number of positive lateral flow tests within their squad, with the players and staff involved sent home before training on Sunday.

“We are planning to play the game,” Frank said. “That’s what we are focusing on. We can’t control anything else.

“I think it needs to be a significant amount of Covid cases before the game can be cancelled but to be fair I’m a little bit in doubt when it is enough.”

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Tottenham had both their Europa League match against Rennes on Thursday night and their Premier League game at Brighton this weekend postponed after eight players and five staff members tested positive, forcing the closure of their training ground.

There have also been cases reported at a number of other clubs, with fears that more is to come over the winter.

“It’s a very tricky situation,” Frank said. “I think it’s very important the Premier League and all of us are following normal society rules and restrictions. That’s very important.

“And then if we can make it very clear what the rules are to cancel a game that would be good. But I think all that is just speculation and taking the focus away from what we all want and that is what’s happening on the pitch.”

Brentford have been hit by Covid themselves, with striker Ivan Toney and defender Ethan Pinnock both missing games after testing positive.

Toney is due out of isolation ahead of Tuesday’s fixture and Frank said he was optimistic he could feature, but Pinnock is expected to miss out again.

“Hopefully Ivan is available,” he said. “We will find out later today... I don’t think it benefitted his fitness over the last 10 days but it’s a big boost if he’s available.

“Let’s see tomorrow if we will start him or he comes off the bench.”