Reiss Nelson Brentford absence explained after missing Manchester United win | OneFootball

Reiss Nelson has been absent for Brentford in recent fixtures due to illness, most recently missing their win over Manchester United.

Photo via BrentfordFC.com

As we approach the end of the first month of Reiss Nelson’s loan to Brentford, the Arsenal winger has spent just 22 minutes on the pitch, all of which were in the League Cup.

Following the international break, Nelson made the Brentford squad for the first time as they hosted Chelsea, but he wasn’t introduced in the 2-2 draw.

Nelson then made an appearance in the League Cup game against Aston Villa, coming off the bench for the final quarter of the match before scoring a penalty in the shootout.

But he was subsequently absent from the Premier League squads against Fulham and Manchester United. So what’s going on?

Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

Brentford have revealed that Nelson missed a week of training due to illness, and whilst he has reintegrated into team training, pre-United assessments evidently determined he wasn’t ready to feature in the match.

It turned out to be a good day for Nelson’s loan side all the same, as they won 3-1.

Caoimhin Kelleher’s penalty save from Bruno Fernandes at 2-1 was evidently a key moment, with Mathias Jensen killing the game off with a third goal in the 95th minute.

Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

It hasn’t been the start Nelson would have wanted on an individual basis, and there are further disruptions on the horizon with just one game remaining before the next international break.

The next game also isn’t the ideal time for Nelson to make his first loan start, with Brentford hosting Manchester City. But these are still early days for the loan, and the good news is that the recent absences haven’t been due to injury or a selection decision.